To receive the above update.

Feliciano Cirmele, Environmental Protection Officer, informed Members of the item and said air quality (AQ) across the borough had significantly improved, with 2019 results being below the national quality objective. Windsor had two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA), Imperial Road/St Leonards Road junction and West Windsor. The results at the junction were below the objective for three consecutive years and was eligible for revocation. There were reducing trends of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentration, which was a national and regional trend.

The Environment Protection team monitored NO₂ in real time with a monitoring station and 15 diffusion tubes deployed that provide monthly concentration rates. There were two diffusion sites in Eton, Old Windsor and Datchet. The recorded concentrations had to be 10% below the national quality objective for three consecutive years. Provisional results of AQ during COVID-19 showed an expected reduction in concentrations compared to the same period in 2019 due to reduced travel due to COVID-19 and therefore reduced emissions.

Changes that would improve AQ included the change to working from home more, and therefore reduction use of transport and therefore less emissions and the increase in sustainable and affordable hybrid and electrical vehicles. The borough’s scheme to provide on-street electrical vehicle charging points in residential areas was underway. A bid was successful to bring forward the cycling scheme, as cycling was a better alternative to public transport and cars.

Thomas Wigley said he rejected the optimistic claims made about AQ, as the selection of data presented made it appear that there was an improvement recently. He asked where the quantified statistical analysis was to substantiate the claims. He listed the objectives for atmospheric pollutants.

It was not apparent that the borough monitored any other atmospheric pollutants such as PM_2.5 particulates, PM₁₀ particulates, Ozone, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Benzene, 1,3-Butadiene, Carbon Monoxide and Lead. Therefore, the real AQ in the borough was unknown. He said the AQ data reported for 2019 appeared to have been ‘greenwashed’ with an unrealistically positive impression.

He asked why 14 out of 43 Annual Mean NO₂ concentration readings had been corrected, and why 6 readings that exceeded the objective of 40µg/m³ were corrected to less than the maximum limit of 40µg/m³. Of 30 Annual Mean readings between 2009 and 2019, 27 exceeded the maximum limit of 40µg/m³ and were corrected to 24µg/m³. Thomas Wigley said the Annual Mean values hid the maximum NO₂ concentrations recorded. The AQMAs was close to local schools that children travelled through and drivers on route to Legoland and Ascot.

He asked for transparency in the AQ of the borough and what happened since his attendance last year for ‘No Idling’ signs to be erected. Thomas Wigley said there was a strong case for continuous monitoring at Imperial Road/St Leonards Road junction. The Chairman said Thomas Wigley’s comments to be sent to the environmental services to respond and action.

Councillor Davies said she was pleased that the concentration of NO₂ was declining but noticed the numbers were adjusted to account the distance to the nearest residential property. With the Climate Strategy, it was encouraged to cycle and walk after the lockdown restrictions. She said all WM03 site IDs in the report had high NO₂ Annual Mean concentrations, and whilst they had reduced over the last three years, it was still high.

Councillors Davey and Price said the AQ was a concern for children walking to school. Councillor Davey said there was a need for a standardised measure of air quality in a quantified way.

Councillor Price said the Borough Local Plan suggested that AQ would get worse before it got better in the coming years, and therefore the already high concentrations were a concern. She said the frequent breakdown of traffic lights near St Albert Pub that were no longer fit for purpose, which increased the problem, as pedestrians were unable to safely cross the road.

(Richard Endacott joined the meeting.)

Councillor Davey asked what the size of the grant for home charging point for electric cars and the Forum was informed this would be answered offline.

ACTION: David Scott agreed to ask colleagues who were involved to inform Councillor Davey of the grant size for home charging point for electric cars.

Ed Wilson asked for Councillors to propose solutions rather than describing problems. Councillor Tisi said there was a need to make roads safer for pedestrians and school children, such as traffic lights on dangerous junctions such as Mill Lane so pedestrians could cross the road safely. Drivers needed to be encouraged to use cars less and encourage parents to walk shorter distances to school and reduce the number of cars in narrow streets. She said there were many creative solutions on how to spend the active travel fund.

Ed Wilson said there was no mention of the installation of on-street electrical vehicle charging points for the last 18 months. The Chairman said there were two charging points on Alma Road in a residents parking area at nil cost. However, the location would lead to dispute as residents wanted access to their parking space, which was not an electrical vehicle. Moreover, the infrastructure of the roads did not lend to easy access of cables.

The Vice Chairman said an ongoing project was being undertaken by the Infrastructure team regarding electric car charging points and could be brought to a future meeting. Councillor Davey said there was a review of electric charging points in the Parking Strategy being considered at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

John Webb wanted Members to note that an upcoming high-density planning application on Hatch Lane, which had 42 proposed car parking spaces, none of which were likely to be electric charging points. This would add more cars and congestion in the borough.