Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Director of Innovation

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) received a presentation of the Director of Transport and Innovation that provided an update on progress in delivering the actions agreed as part of the Local Air Quality Action Plan (LAQAP).

At their meeting on 30th November 2022 (minute 14/22 referred), the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered an item on the Coventry Local Air Quality Action Plan and made recommendations to officers and requested a further update on progress.

The Council recognised the impact of air pollution on health and wellbeing and was committed to taking action to improve air quality in the city. It was recognised that air pollution had effects on health across the life course, contributing to the development or exacerbation of a range of health conditions, as well as to mortality at a population level. The LAQAP package of measures would support the improvement of public health by tackling air quality problems within the city as well as by promoting sustainable and active travel.

The presentation highlighted the following progress of the Plan’s actions:

Delivery and Status:

·  Spon End / J7 scheme completed 2023

·  JAQU report received Dec 23 – identified Holyhead Rd was sole non-compliant site

·  JAQU review of Holyhead Road data

·  Foleshill Road had achieved compliance

·  Coundon Cycleway substantially complete – remedial works and extension to UHS to be done

Spon End / J7

·  Spon End / J7 scheme completed 2023

·  Allesley Old Road / Hearsall Lane signals upgrade completed

·  ASE operational on AOR [Feb 24]

·  ASE on Hearsall Lane / Spon End goes live March 24

·  Godiva site options report received – under review

·  Parking arrangements with Rugby Club extended to Autumn 24

·  VMS to be installed on Pickford Way

JAQU Update

·  Stage 1 Assessment Report – Nov 23

·  Coventry judged to be non-compliant – Holyhead Rd

·  Foleshill Road – compliance achieved

·  Holyhead Road – conflicting monitoring evidence

·  JAQU undertaking further review of monitoring evidence – outcome awaited

·  Once review completed, CCC would need to submit a change control with revised scheme

·  Upper Hill Street re-opening no longer recommended

Holyhead Rd / Lower Coundon

·  Multiple schemes happening in the Lower Coundon / Naul’s Mill area

·  Completion of Air Quality obligations on Holyhead Road

·  Completion of Coundon Cycleway to Upper Hill Street Bridge

·  Lower Coundon Liveable Neighbourhood

·  Cycle Contraflow Pilot

·  Moseley Avenue / Engleton Average Speed Enforcement (ASE)

•  Uncertainty over Network Rail’s proposals

•  Barkers Butts Level Crossing

Next Steps

·  Completion of JAQU review of Holyhead Road data

·  Engagement with community on options for completion of Coundon Cycle Route and related traffic management

·  Moseley Avenue / Engleton Average Speed Enforcement (ASE)

·  Clarify Network Rail plans for Coundon level crossing and Holyhead Road bridge

·  Prepare change control for LAQAP with alternative scheme to submit to JAQU

In considering the presentation, the Board questioned officers, received responses and discussed matters summarised below:

·  Ball Hill - early monitoring for CO2 emissions were carried out in 2028/2019 and work undertaken to ensure that Ball Hill came into compliance. Monitors were in place and further work would be undertaken if it was required. Recent work at Ball Hill was a community lead project through Grapevine.

·  The Government Ministerial direction on air quality emissions was for Holyhead Road and Foleshill Road.

·  Network Rail Plans for Coundon Road level crossing and the Holyhead Road bridge were still unknown at this stage.

·  Concerns that should the level crossing on Coundon Road be closed, it could impact businesses in the area, similarly closure of the Holyhead Road for Bridge works. It was important to keep traffic moving and for alternative routes be put in place prior to any closures.

·  The Coundon Cycle Lane completion was expected in 2024/25.

·  Upper Hill Street - Trend on air conditions (CO2) had reduced. Design work that was undertaken indicated that it was going to be a longer- term project that wouldn’t meet JAQU requirements. The case had been superseded.

·  Coundon Cycle Lane – consider option of route through Naul’s Mill Park.

·  Funding had been secured for linking the cycle lane to the top end of Keresley.

·  Lower Coundon Liveable Neighbourhood – consultation to be undertaken with the community to identify priorities. Improving air quality was the main objective. Known traffic management issues in the area had resulted in this area being selected for the scheme.

·  Spon End Junction 7 – Some traffic management feedback. No feedback from pedestrians using the area. Signing had been enhanced at the junction for left turn into the Butts. Removal of Bus Lanes and upgraded signals had been an improvement.

·  Compliance with air quality levels on the Foleshill Rd could possibly be attributed to the use of electric buses on that route.

·  Foleshill – £50m had been provided by the Authority for electric buses, in addition to bus company investment. Park and Ride for the area needed to be looked at as part of the Rider Transport Strategy. Oxford, York and Cambridge operated Park and Ride – the Cambridge scheme was subsidised by the Local Authority at a high cost.

·  Wider Travel Action Fund – surveys had been carried out on some side streets used as cut throughs for traffic. Further work was needed to improve situation.

·  Monitoring was in place to see how the air quality works and the changes at Junction 7 (Spon End) had impacted traffic flows on local roads in area.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3):

1)  Notes the content of the presentation at Appendix 1 to the Briefing Note.

2)  Had no further recommendations to make to the Cabinet Member.