People in Sefton are facing increasing levels of pollution due to traffic from the nearby port, threatening the health of local residents in some of the borough’s most deprived areas, a council report states.
According to a new Sefton Council report, pollutants in the air brought about by heavy goods vehicles (HGV) related to traffic to and from Peel Ports is a “main ongoing priority” for the borough as pollution levels continue to rise.
Although there was a dip during the pandemic when the borough went into lockdown, since then the figures for 2021 show pollution levels continuing to increase.
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The report adds that there are major concerns over the impact the expansion of the port will have on the borough’s traffic and emission woes – with plans moving forward to charge some vehicles for entering the most polluted areas in a bid to stem the problem.
There are four key areas of Sefton identified as pollution hotspots – including Princess Way in Seaforth, Millers Bridge in Bootle, Crosby Road North in Waterloo and the Hawthorne Road/ Church Road junction in Litherland which have been identified as areas requiring an air quality management plan due to the levels of pollutants in the air.
Sefton Council has been talking about the introduction of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) along these hotspots for some time – with an outline business case stating a preferred option to introduce a zone along the A565 and A5036 corridor which would mean vehicles with high emissions would be charged for entering the area.
Having now completed the outline business case, the report states the next step would be the production of a full business case, with some possible sources of funding for the scheme having been identified.
The report sets out the next steps in the borough’s clean air plan and the development of the CAZ, which includes engaging with National Highways England, which manages the A5036 and A565 as well as Liverpool Council, Peel Ports and the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit. Local residents will also be consulted as part of the process.
The report warns that time could be running out for Sefton with the port’s expansion threatening to bring some areas of Sefton over national limits for particulate matter and nitrous dioxide without further action being taken.
It is also noted that the CAZ will not solve the borough’s air pollution problems alone, with the report stating it is “not in itself an all-encompassing
solution for air quality issues” and further initiatives need to be put in place to protect residents in Sefton.
After being discussed at Sefton Council’s overview and scrutiny committee tomorrow night, the air quality report will go to cabinet, which will decide whether or not to proceed with a full business case about introducing a CAZ in Sefton.
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