Issue - meetings

(a)       Question from Mr. Richard Clark to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Friends of the Earth research show that Hickleton has the worst air quality in the whole of Yorkshire and ranks amongst the most highly polluted areas nationally.  Hickleton was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2015 but NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) levels have continued to increase and breach national/EU guidelines.  The high NOx levels are entirely due to the close proximity of houses to the road making it unsuitable for the volume of traffic passing daily.  What actions are DMBC planning to reduce NOx levels and improve air quality?”

(b)     Question from Mr. Tony Wilson to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“When will work start on an improved road structure from the A1 at Marr to the Dearne Valley Parkway at Goldthorpe to incorporate a By Pass as promised many years ago for the village of Hickleton in particular, but also Marr itself.  I have contacted the road haulage association who indicate a 54% increase in road traffic by 2050.  I have also contacted Transport for the North, an independent government backed hub with money to help such a scheme.  It has been highlighted by Sheffield Council as well as Barnsley and indeed yourselves as an area of concern.  2021 and certainly by 2022 to start such a project is surely a target for this Council?”

(A)         Question from Mr. Richard Clark to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

“Friends of the Earth research shows that Hickleton has the worst air quality in the whole of Yorkshire and ranks amongst the most highly polluted areas nationally.  Hickleton was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2015, but NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) levels have continued to increase and breach national/EU guidelines.  The high NOx levels are entirely due to the close proximity of houses to the road making it unsuitable for the volume of traffic passing daily.  What actions are DMBC planning to reduce NOx levels and improve air quality?”

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following reply:-

“Thank you for your question Mr. Clark.  It is the case that the annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide along the A635 in Hickleton is the highest recorded within the Borough.

Results also indicate that while concentrations in other areas remain relatively static, Hickleton has seen slight increases over the last 5 years.

The high levels at Hickleton may be attributed to the type and volume of traffic, the proximity of buildings to the roadside, the gradient, bends in the road and the A635 being an arterial route from the A1.

It is clear that improved vehicle emissions are not having the desired effect on Air Quality. It is clear that further measures will be necessary to achieve compliance with the Air Quality objectives.  Doncaster Council has a Steering Group in place that is looking at new opportunities to improve Air Quality where we can.

These action plans are currently being updated and will be published shortly. 

The measures in the Air Quality Action Plan focus on Active Travel, Planning Guidance, Bus Partnerships and Fleet Recognition Schemes.  Thank you for your question Mr. Clark.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.10, Mr. Clark asked the Mayor the following supplementary question:-

“Thank you for your answer.  It is clear that the Action Plan measures that have been proposed are insufficient to tackle the poor air quality.  From everything that we hear from Doncaster’s plans and Barnsley’s plans, the volume of traffic is only going to increase further along the A635.  We know the poor air quality is directly down to the volume of traffic.  I therefore doubt whether any specific measures on air quality being tackled alone, will reduce the NOx levels.

There are 19 houses that directly front on to that road; many of them have got young children and I do not think it is fair to the residents to just look at the cost benefit ratio and ignore health.  My question is, we would like a Senior Official from the Council on Air Quality to work with us, so that at least we feel that you are talking to us, you are listening to us and that there may be things that we can agree specifically and jointly that we would find beneficial to us.  So my question is, can we work together and can you nominate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46