Council chiefs bid to tackle pollution in smog-filled centres

Three years ago an air quality management area was set up in Ripon after it was shown unacceptably high levels of nitrogen dioxide are breaching national guidelines. It has been calculated that while lorries make up less than five per cent of the traffic travelling through the zone they account for around 40 per cent of emissions.

In May a survey was carried out in the management area, which covers Low Skellgate, High Skellgate and some of Westgate, to look at the numbers of HGVs using the routes. It found banning lorries, over a certain weight, from both Low Skellgate and High Skellgate would have the most impact but said banning ones over a certain weight may be enough to reduce pollution levels.

However, it warns if some lorries are banned then it is likely to add another five to ten minutes to journey times and drivers visiting city centre businesses will be simply displaced onto alternative routes.

The issue will be discussed by members of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate District Committee on Thursday.

Officers are suggesting the county council and the borough council hold further discussions and bring a further report back to committee considering the likely impact on pollution levels. Members will also receive a report on the latest plans for Knaresborough’s air quality management area.

A report prepared for councillors says: “The development of an air quality action plan is a statutory duty for Harrogate Borough Council and, due to transport being the main cause of emissions in this instance, it is incumbent on the county council to work with the borough council to attempt to bring levels of emissions back to bring levels of emissions back within the permitted standard.”

Coun Peter Horton, who represents the county council’s Ripon South ward said: “Banning HGVs could possibly be the answer.

“It maybe would not hurt to add a formal ban except for access perhaps.”

Coun Horton is keen to see a traffic survey carried out to try to get traffic in the city centre moving again: “We have been asking the county council for a full traffic survey.

“I think lots of matters need attention really one of the principle ones is probably the overuse of traffic lights throughout the town and the delays that they cause.”

However members of the committee are being urged to reject Coun Horton’s bid for a comprehensive traffic survey as officers say that given the “current constraints” on highways cash there is no spare money to carry it out.

In Knaresborough a ban is also being considered in the air quality management area at Bond End. Some concerns have been raised that such a move would be difficult to enforce and that it will inconvenience businesses that need to make deliveries. Officers are also recommending a further report on whether to introduce weight restrictions on the vehicles permitted to use some routes is produced.

Air quality has worsened in a number of black spots across North Yorkshire in recent years, with York Council chiefs previously warning a dramatic culture shift is needed to cut car use and tackle congestion.

Pollution has been linked to an estimated 158 premature deaths in York every year, and the council has previously said it is aiming to cut car use by five per cent in three years by promoting alternative modes of transport, including walking, cycling and buses.

Official figures also revealed the city’s average levels of nitrogen dioxide during 2009 exceeded targets set by both the council and the Government and stood at their highest point for seven years.

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