What are your views on air quality?

Cheshire East Council is asking for residents to give their views on the council’s updated air quality strategy.

Off the top of my head I’d guess air quality in Macclesfield is pretty good – considering our location in the foothills of The Pennines.

The council agrees that “air quality across the borough is generally very good but there are a few small areas – often where traffic is heavier – where there are concerns that the council is addressing through its air quality management programme.”

There are twelve Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) across the borough – declared due to an excess of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle emissions.

Inevitably, there are going to be hot spots, where the council’s traffic management schemes fail to do what it says on the tin – fail to adequately manage traffic!

I’d guess the Tesco roundabout on Hibel road is a hot spot, possibly Broken Cross roundabout and Mill Lane/London Road – where the Silk Road ends prematurely. And Moss Lane, at its junction with Congleton Road – where there’s plenty of room for a roundabout to ease traffic flow, but there isn’t! No doubt residents know many, many more.

The council says: “While vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution within the borough, it is not the only contributing factor. Therefore, the air quality strategy highlights other sources of emissions, such as domestic, industrial and agricultural activities, and sets out the council’s approach to these emission sources.”

I’m hopeful that this exercise isn’t going to an excuse for a further attack on farming.

Cheshire East Council is undertaking a review of the strategy and would like your views on the proposed draft Air Quality Strategy for 2024-2029. No doubt, as usual, any and all views contra to its beliefs will be promptly ignored – but it’s an opportunity for a rant.

There’s a statutory requirement for all local authorities to have an air quality strategy.  The aim of the strategy is to support the achievement of the air quality objectives and to ensure air quality is considered within a wide range of local government and regional planning frameworks, such as the Local Transport Plan. It aims to drive greater improvements in air quality at the local level and is reviewed on a five-yearly basis.   

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “Although there are no major changes planned in terms of the overall approach that the council intends to take, the input of residents is very important to us, as we know they are in the best position to advise us of any concerns they may have from a hyperlocal perspective. 

“I welcome all communication with our local residents and look forward to receiving their views and suggestions.”  

The consultation is live and will remain open until Friday 17 May.