Clean air is a top priority
The quality of the air in Sefton has been a priority of Healthwatch Sefton for some time and we look forward to the imminent publication of the Government’s final strategy following the Clean Air Strategy Community Engagement Consultation during 2018.
Sefton’s Public Health team have thanked everyone who took part in the consultation locally and said: “The Sefton Community Response gives a powerful, local voice to this vitally important issue.”
This year’s Director of Public Health’s Annual Report will be on the topic of air quality and health and local residents are being asked what they would like to see covered in the report.
An informal, drop-in event to get your views on how best to present some of the main messages and information has been arranged on Tuesday, 15 January at Waterloo Community Centre, Great Georges Road, Waterloo. Drop in between 1pm and 5pm to share your ideas.
Alternatively, you can send your asks and ideas to Public.Health@sefton.gov.uk by Friday, 18 January.
Check on the strategy publication progress by clicking here.
Road Signs
- Have you spotted Sefton Council’s new roadside display signs? Situated around air pollution hotspots they display short messages to drivers, such as ‘Help improve air quality, switch off at traffic lights’ or ‘Help improve air quality, consider car sharing’.
Emissions Cheats
- Sefton Council has also linked up with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to catch vehicles which have been fitted with cheat devices to illegally bypass low emission systems.
Planning
- Improvements to the council’s planning guidance now means that all new developments will require air quality impact assessment and all new homes that are built in Sefton will be equipped with electric car charging points.
Tackling pollution at home
- Many people at the consultation were surprised to learn how much air pollution, especially fine particulate matter, comes from domestic burning, e.g. wood burning stoves, open fires and solid fuel heating systems. Check out these simple pollution-busting tips
Spotted a smoky vehicle?
- Remember, you can report a smoky lorry or bus here https://www.gov.uk/report-smoky-vehicle or call the DVSA on 0300 123 9000 (option 4)
- If it’s a taxi go to www.sefton.gov.uk/taxi