Agenda item

Briefing of the Strategic Lead for Policy and Innovation

The Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered a presentation of the Strategic Lead for Policy 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 of the Board held on 30th November 2022, the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) considered an item on the Coventry Local Air Quality Action Plan (minute 14/22 referred). The Board made recommendations to officers and requested a further update on progress. A further progress report was provided on 6th March 2024 (minute 19/23 referred).

In respect of health inequalities, 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:

Update on LAQAP delivery and status:

·  Spon End / J7 scheme completed 2023

·  JAQU report received Dec 23 – identifies Holyhead Rd as sole non-compliant site

·  JAQU monitoring has implications for Holyhead Rd / Lower Coundon measures

·  Coundon Cycleway substantially complete – 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, Hearsall Lane / Spon End

·  VMS installed on Pickford Way

JAQU Update

·  Stage 1 Assessment Report – Nov 23

·  Coventry judged to be non-compliant – Holyhead Rd

·  Foleshill Road – compliance achieved [electric buses?]

·  JAQU require updated LAQAP to be prepared – work underway on this

·  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 Average Speed Enforcement (ASE)

·  Uncertainty over Network Rail’s proposals

o  Barkers Butts Level Crossing

o  Holyhead Road bridge replacement

In considering the briefing and presentation, the Board questioned officers,

received responses and discussed matters as summarised below:

·  Success of improvements at Ring Road/Junction7

·  Consideration of a Park and Ride facility for the Allesley Old Road area welcome

·  Very Light Rail (VLR) – offered an alternative travel option to Park and Ride

·  The environmental benefits of electric buses – 140 electric buses on the highway to date. All-electric bus city by end of 2025 with just under 300 vehicles in total.

·  Coventry to Leicester rail service – progression could result in the loss of Coundon Road and Hawkesbury level crossings but would enable a faster/strategic rail service

·  Holyhead Road – quarterly vehicle surveys undertaken, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition Surveys. Data submitted to DVRA following which the Local Authority were provided with headline vehicle information.

·  Monitoring of air pollution met required standards – City Council monitoring equipment was the same as JAQU equipment

·  DVLA – consider targeting vehicles that weren’t compliant with emissions requirements

·  Walsgrave Road – air quality now emission compliant following a number of improvements which included rerouting buses in the area.

Members requested that the DVLA be requested to target vehicles that are not compliant with emissions requirements.

RESOLVED that the Business, Economy, and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) noted the content of the presentation and briefing note and had no further recommendations for the Cabinet Member.