WORK is to begin on an action plan to improve air quality in Launceston, following the declaration of the town as an air quality management area (AQMA).

In 2017, Cornwall Council held a public consultation to ask people for their views on air quality in Launceston. People who responded to the consultation agreed that action was needed to improve air quality in the town. The official designation of the air quality management area formally acknowledges that need and is the first step towards creating an action plan for Launceston.

Councils are required to monitor air quality in their area against national targets and to declare areas with poor air quality as air quality management areas. Cornwall Council has been keeping an eye on Launceston’s levels of nitrogen dioxide, which comes from car and lorry exhaust, since 2016. This long-term monitoring has confirmed that the Newport area of the town, particularly St Thomas Road and Newport Square, has excessive levels of traffic related nitrogen dioxide.

Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “Declaring the Launceston air quality management area is an important first step for the town. The ideas that local people shared with us last autumn are helping us with the next step of drafting an action plan to improve Launceston’s air quality. In the meantime, I would urge everyone driving through Launceston to think about what they can do to cut down on traffic emissions. If everyone makes small changes then the community could together make a difference. Please consider walking or cycling on shorter journeys, turning off your car engine when in stationary traffic and next time you change your vehicle, check out the emission levels.”

Gemma Massey, Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central, said: “When we held the consultation in October and November last year, lots of people told us how they thought Launceston’s air quality levels could be improved. We’re really grateful to everyone who responded and all your suggestions will be considered.”

Jade Farrington, Cornwall Councillor for Launceston South, said: “Over the next 12 months, Cornwall Council will investigate specific measures to improve air quality in Launceston. This work could include further traffic studies and appraising options that could be included in the draft action plan for our town.”

Adam Paynter, Cornwall Council’s leader and Cornwall Councillor for Launceston North and North Petherwin, added: “When the draft action plan is ready, we’ll be asking people in Launceston to take a look at it and tell us whether they think it includes the right measures. They’ll also be able to tell us if they’ve come up with any other ideas that they want to share.”

There are eight other air quality management areas in Cornwall, which include Camborne-Pool-Redruth, Grampound, Truro, St Austell, Bodmin, Camelford, Tideford and Gunnislake.

More information about the Launceston air quality management area and the Clean Air for Cornwall Strategy is available on www.cornwall.gov.uk/airquality.