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Ellesmere Port Air Quality Forum: Improving Community Health & Awareness

The Ellesmere Port Air Quality Forum aims to monitor and improve air quality in the area, addressing public concerns and promoting community health. Established in 2000, the forum collaborates with stakeholders to implement strategic initiatives for long-term impact. With a structured approach and diverse membership, the forum engages residents, politicians, industries, and regulators to achieve a healthier environment. Through real-time monitoring, public outreach, and ongoing initiatives, the forum strives to enhance air quality perceptions and enhance quality of life.

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Ellesmere Port Air Quality Forum: Improving Community Health & Awareness

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  1. The Ellesmere PortAir Quality Forum(Established 2000) Martin Doyle Lead Environmental Protection Officer

  2. Background • Ellesmere Port • Shell / Oil • Vauxhall Motors • Cheshire Oaks • aka Chester Oaks • Bad Odours? • Poor air quality – bad for health?

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. Initial Budget • EPNBC £78K • SCA APPROVAL £85K • OTHER AGENCIES £45K • SRB £160K • TOTAL £368K

  10. 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%)

  11. Forum Aim “To ensure air quality is monitored and results are conveyed to the community in a useful, readily accessible form”.

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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%

  15. Formation of CWaC - 2009

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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

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