CORNWALL Council is asking people in Launceston for their views on declaring the town an Air Quality Management Area with excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide measured in the Newport area.

This is an important first step in improving air quality as it ensures there is an action plan for the town and opens up funding opportunities for measures that could help to improve local air quality.

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 and by law an Air Quality Management Area must now be declared.

Before the Air Quality Management Area is officially declared residents have an opportunity to get involved by sharing their views on air quality in Launceston, the plans for the Air Quality Management Area, the proposed boundary of the Air Quality Management Area and any measures to improve air quality that they would like to see included in the action plan for the town.

Gemma Massey, Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Launceston Central, said: “The consultation gives people the chance to find out more about air quality in Launceston and what the Air Quality Management Area will mean for the town. I would encourage everyone in Launceston to share their views and ideas about how local air quality could be improved, as your opinions really do matter.”

Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “Cornwall Council’s priorities include making Cornwall greener and healthier, and improving air quality is an important part of this. The declaration of this new Air Quality Management Area will raise drivers’ awareness of harm caused by vehicle emissions and enable the council to work with the people of Launceston to improve their air quality. Once the Air Quality Management Area is officially designated, through a legal order, we will start work on an air quality action plan for the town.”

The consultation period runs until December 8. There will be a public drop in exhibition in Launceston Town Hall from 3pm to 7pm on November 8 with staff from Cornwall Council on hand to answer questions and provide information about air quality in Launceston and options for improving it. Anyone can attend the drop in exhibition or share their views by completing an online survey, emailing the Council on [email protected], posting their comments to the council or handing them in at Launceston One Stop Shop in Bounsalls Lane.

After the consultation closes, all comments will be considered and the Launceston Air Quality Management Area will be officially designated. Then work will start on an action plan for Launceston, with local people having a further opportunity to share their ideas for air quality improvement measures at that stage.

There are eight other Air Quality Management Areas in Cornwall — Bodmin, Camborne-Pool-Redruth, Camelford, Grampound, Gunnislake, St Austell, Tideford and Truro.

As part of its Clean Air for Cornwall Strategy, Cornwall Council said it has already introduced a range of projects and policies to help improve air quality across Cornwall. These include promoting walking and cycling, improving public transport, introducing car clubs, setting emission standards for taxis, minimising emissions from bus and works vehicle fleets, requiring electric vehicle charging points in new build homes, working with employers and schools to develop travel plans, and promoting mixed use development in areas close to public transport and facilities.

More information and the online survey for Launceston are available on www.cornwall.gov.uk/airquality