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Leicester
Air Quality Improvement
The strategy for Leicester is focused on tackling the levels of nitrogen dioxide across the designated AQMA. This will be achieved mainly through
delivering the congestion strategy, which aims to encourage a model shift onto public transport or Park and Ride (P&R). Leicester currently has one
established P&R at Meynells Gorse and a further three proposed under the Leicester West P&R Programme. The congestion strategy and programme of schemes
is informed and shaped by the preparation of Leicester's Air Quality Action Plan.
As the main source of nitrogen dioxide is vehicle exhaust emissions from traffic, all options considered as part of the air quality action planning process
were aimed at reducing: Vehicle kilometres travelled, Emissions per vehicle-kilometre or repositioning / changing traffic flows in relation to critical
sensitive locations or vice versa. Specifically the following steps were taken:
Identification of suitable options: this was undertaken through a workshop with key officers of Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council in June 2004.
A public consultation exercise: via questionnaire and leaflet to all residents in Leicester
Evaluation of the options: with regard to air quality impact, cost, feasibility and timescales. The evaluation was undertaken by the Leicester City Council
project team; in partnership with the AQMRC, University of West of England at Bristol in consultation with transport and land-use planners of Leicester City
Council.
Other measures specifically aimed at reducing nitrogen dioxide will include:
- Campaigns to eliminate old and poorly maintained vehicles and to influence driving styles and short journeys as they cause up to 60% more pollution
per mile than longer journeys. In Leicester 41% of journeys made by car are of less than 2 miles, and 77% of less than 5 miles. Likewise, promoting
economical driving styles and other simple pollution saving tips could, if widely taken up, have a relatively large impact on air quality as well as
saving the motorist money.
- Promotions of good practice to fleet managers through the Freight Quality Partnership and Quality Bus Partnership aim to raise awareness of
pollution issues and encourage investment in vehicle. Business is also being encouraged to build distribution depots outside the city where large
lorries (HGVs) transfer loads to smaller, cleaner vehicles for distribution within the city.
- A further way to reduce pollution from heavy goods vehicles is to ensure they use the most suitable routes for travel to and from their delivery
destination. We will facilitate this through our work with the Freight Quality Partnership implementing our freight signing strategy.
Source: Local Transport Plan July 2005.
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