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The Ellesmere Port Air Quality Forum (Established 2000). Martin Doyle Lead Environmental Protection Officer. Background. Ellesmere Port Shell / Oil Vauxhall Motors Cheshire Oaks aka Chester Oaks Bad Odours? Poor air quality – bad for health?. Public Opinion.
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The Ellesmere PortAir Quality Forum(Established 2000) Martin Doyle Lead Environmental Protection Officer
Background • Ellesmere Port • Shell / Oil • Vauxhall Motors • Cheshire Oaks • aka Chester Oaks • Bad Odours? • Poor air quality – bad for health?
Public Opinion Quality of Life Survey 1995 • 43% in EP&N put reducing air pollution in top 3 priorities for improving quality of life (30% in Cheshire) Consulting the Community Survey 1998 • 88% in EP&N said air pollution a major concern (62% for Cheshire)
Quality of Life Survey 2000 • 24% of EP&N respondents said “environmental pollution where I live” has a bad effect on “my” health (9% for Cheshire) Air Quality Community Survey 2002 • 49% in EPN said air quality had bad effect on their health (21% Cheshire) • 46% dissatisfied in AQ in EPN with 23% very dissatisfied (6% Cheshire) • 60% in Ellesmere Port identified industrial emissions as having serious effect on Air Quality (22% Cheshire)
Council Response • Challenged by Members to tackle the issue (1998) however. • No dedicated budget • No improvement Plan • No Partnership in place • No community engagement • High level of public scepticism
What Was Needed • Structured long term Approach • Identification & clarification of the issues • Obtain funding (LA,SRB1 & 2) • Engagement of the whole community • Residents • Politicians • Industry • Regulators
The Air Quality Forum • Formed Forum in 2000. • Constitution • Membership includes • Community – public, interest groups • Industry – Shell, BNFL, Innospec • Health – PCT, Local GP’s, • Local Councillors, MP • Working Groups – Strategy, Odour, Scrutiny, Transport, Commuication
Principles of the Forum • Trusting Co-operative Partnership. • Working towards reduced air pollution and addressing public concern. • Achieved through joint action, greater understanding and improved communication.
Initial Budget • EPNBC £78K • SCA APPROVAL £85K • OTHER AGENCIES £45K • SRB £160K • TOTAL £368K
The Issue People Panel 2001- AQ concerns • Pollution level causes ill health (54%) • Visible emissions (55%) • Bad smells (52%) • Concentration of large industry(37%) • Industry fails to comply (28%)
Forum Aim “To ensure air quality is monitored and results are conveyed to the community in a useful, readily accessible form”.
What we found. • No exceedance of national objectives. • Industrial compliance high and improving. • Closure of Ince B - huge impact for SO2 • Rising standards in industry
Forum Activity • Installation of real time monitors and ambient • Nox, SO2, Benzene, Butadiene • EnviMan • Electronic display boards providing real time information at key locations • Web Site • Messenger newspaper • Local Newspaper weekly feature • AQ Trail
Success?Peoples Panel Survey 2004 2001 2004 • Residents Reporting Air Quality is getting Better. • Percentage population believing local air quality is harmful to health 31% 16% 58% 69%
Ince Marsh Public Inquiry • Comments provided by RAIN demonstrated very similar residents concerns to those expressed in Ellesmere Port. • Odours do have the potential to impact a wider area. • Industrial area is highly visible.
Forum Response • Agreed at full Forum to expand area • Invited public, town councillors and RAIN to join Forum • Discussion on going with Peel to join and contribute financially to the cost of installing real time monitoring kit. • Presently midway through process of installing kit, total cost approximately £14k.
The Future • Identify future monitoring requirements (AQS) • Continue to provide local air quality information • Develop sustainable funding streams • Continued involvement of schools • Undertake public perception survey (monitor change early 2004) • Develop Community & Partnership working