ACTION 1 The Council will continue to lobby central government about national air quality measures via regional pollution groups & regional co-ordinators networks set up by DEFRA

•  The Action Plan is set within the context of the National Air Quality Strategy which includes a directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC)

ACTION 2 Bath and North East Somerset Council will continue to lobby at a regional scale – for continued improvement of transport frameworks to improve air quality – through pollution groups, local authority organisations and contact with the Government Office South West (GOSWA).

•  Many policies and programmes are already underway to relieve transport problems

ACTION 3 Environmental and Consumer Services to continue work with transport colleagues to incorporate air quality considerations into the Local Transport Plan (LTP) & transport considerations into the Air Quality Action Plan – The next LTP will be joint with the other 3 ex Avon authorities and is due to be submitted in July 2005.

•  The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is the most important local policy mechanism available to the Council for bringing air quality improvements along the A4 London Road
• The plan has 5 main themes – traffic management, public transport, parking, public involvement and the enhancement of local environments.
• Four main improvements that relate to the London Road area have been included in the plan
• Traffic calming, widened footways and carriage reallocatioN
• Local access improvements for pedestrian and cyclistS
• Traditional park and ride sites and public transport improvements outside of BatH
• Progress on the above is reported in the LTP Annual Progress Reports –Traffic counts have already shown a reduction in car use due to resident parking scheme and improvements in public transport.

ACTION 4 Environmental and Consumer Services to continue work with the planning department with regard to new developments and ensure air quality is taken into account – especially when located in or close to the Air Quality Management Area

• The Council can influence new development to ensure that it is designed and located so as to reduce the need to travel.
• Planning has a role to play in separating potentially polluted land uses from other existing or proposed land uses.

ACTION 5 The Council wil continue with the development of both walking and cycling strategies. Both have five main objectives; modal shift, infrastructure development, policy continuity, integration into transport strategy and adaptability.

ACTION 6 The Council will introduce a policy of replacing its fleet with “greener” vehicles. (e.g. with particulate traps / electric vehicles) where suitable.

• Alternative fuels produce fewer emissions – Liquid petroleum gas (LPG), electrified vehicles and other fuels has been trialled by other authorities.
• First Group in conjunction with Bath and North East Somerset Council (quality partnership) are implementing a fleet replacement programme.  116 new buses (all Euro 3 compliment) will be introduced to public bus services within the next 18 months.

ACTION 7 The Council will seek to improve the availability of cleaner fuels by encouraging new service stations to stock them.

ACTION 8 The Council will continue with its aim to achieve traffic reduction by improving infrastructure (to encourage sustainable travel and reduce unnecessary car use).

• Predicted traffic growth will negate air quality improvements by sheer numbers of vehicles and increased travel mileage – so traffic volume needs to be reduced.
• The target is to achieve a 10% reduction in city centre traffic flows by 2006
• Initiatives could include schemes using Home Zones principles, Safer Routes to Schools, Car Clubs and Travel Plans.

ACTION 9 The Council will continue to provide encouragement, advice and support to businesses in the development of travel plans through meeting with travel groups.

• Bath and North East Somerset Council have been working with various groups since 1996 and are looking to support one of a number of lift share organisations.
• A Travel Plan is a package of practical measures to encourage staff to use alternative to the car and should be tailored to each site.

ACTION 10 The Council with continue to work with envolve and local schools to provide encouragement to increase the uptake of Safer Routes to Schools schemes.

• The Council are encouraging all schools to develop a School Travel Plan to address issues such as congestion and air pollution.
• The Council are working with 55 schools on Safer Routes Schemes.  25 schools have produced travel plans to date

ACTION 11 The Council will continue to provide full backing and support to the Bath Car Share Club.

• This club has been in operation since May 2001 and has 35 regular members.

ACTION 12 Environmental and Consumer Services will continue to provide comprehensive control over Part B processes (small scale potentially polluting industries – The Environment Agency has responsibility for large scale industry).

• Bath and North East Somerset Council currently authorises 57 Part B processes throughout the district

ACTION 13 Environmental and Consumer Services will continue to investigate complaints about nuisance, monitor air quality and relate this to the air quality strategy.

ACTION 14 Environmental and Consumer Services will continue to ensure that only authorised fuels are used in the smoke control area. (The whole of Bath City)

ACTION 15 The Transport Department will make an application to the Traffic Commissioner for Traffic Regulation Conditions to restrict tour buses.

ACTION 16 The Council will continue to ensure the promotion of air quality in Bath and North East Somerset Council and with neighbouring authorities.

• The Authority publishes an annual Air Quality Report.
• Representatives of the four ‘Former Avon’ authorities meet to discuss air quality management at an area level (the CUBA group, Councils that Used to Be Avon.
• The CUBA group have developed a forecasting website which provides up to date pollution forecasts for the public