The Forum has submitted responses to the Durham County Council consultation on air quality.
The purpose of the consultation was to seek views on the air quality action plan to improve air quality across Durham City. Forum members contributed to the City of Durham Trust’s detailed response CDT Air quality
The Forum endorsed that document as part of our response, and made a final comment:
“Additionally, we urge that immediate actions need to be taken to deal with the air quality problems in Durham City Centre, i.e. levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceeding the national air quality standard. This has been a problem since at least 2011 when Durham City was designated an Air Quality Management Areas because of these high levels of NO2. It is not sufficient to say we should not be concerned because many other cities in the UK have similar problems. Air pollution causes deaths. A Public Health England 2014 report noted that, annually, deaths (of people 25+) attributable to air pollution in County Durham are 223 (4.3%). This equates to deaths in Durham City Centre of approx. 9 per year. The Council therefore needs to set timescales for its air quality actions, and look for quick wins, e.g. better maintenance and signposting of cycle and footpaths; extension of opening hours of the Park and Ride sites, e.g. to 12 midnight; requirement for use of low emission vehicles by bus and taxi operators.”
