air quality progress report 2013 - city of westminster

Ten Year Air Quality Monitoring Summary 2004 to 2013 2013 and 2014 Air Quality Progress Report In fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management

April 2014

Westminster City Council

Westminster 10 Year Air Quality Monitoring Data Summary 2004 to 2013 LAQM Progress Report 2013 and 2014 1

Report compiled by:

Jennie Preen

Project Manager – Air Quality

City Planning, Built Environment


City Hall

64 Victoria Street

London

SW1E 6QP

[email protected]

020 7642 1883

This report will be available on the Westminster City Council web site at:

www.westminster.gov.uk/airquality



Table of Contents

1 Introduction 4

2 Monitoring Data 11

3 New Local Developments 24

4 Public Information – Summary of key air quality actions 25

5 Cleaner Air Borough status and performance 32

6 Air Quality and Public Health 38

7 Implementation of Air Quality Action Plan 39

8 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 40

Appendix A: QA:QC Data 41

Appendix B: Full NO2 Data Set 42

Appendix C: Full PM10 Data Set 43

Appendix D: Air Quality Action Plan progress 45



List of Tables

Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives 8

Table 1.2 Summary of Previous Air Quality Reports 9

Table 2.1 Details of Current Automatic Monitoring Sites 13

Table 2.2 Details of Historic Automatic Monitoring Sites 13

Table 2.3 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO2: Annual Mean 15

Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO2: 1-hour Mean 15

Table 2.5 2004 – 2013 Summary Results for NO2: Comparison with Annual Mean 16

Table 2.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Annual Mean Objective 19

Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: 24-hour Mean Objective 20

Table 2.8 2004 – 2013 Summary Results for PM10: Comparison with Annual Mean 21

Table D.1 Action Plan Progress 45

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Westminster’s Key Diagram 6

Figure 1.2 Map of AQMA Boundary 10

Figure 2.1 Map of Current Automatic Monitoring Sites. 12

Figure 2.2 Trends in Annual Mean NO2 17

Figure 2.3 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 22

Figure 4.1 Example of ‘Switch off engine’ sign 27

Figure 4.2 Slide from UKPN, highlighting the grid capacity in Westminster 28

Figure 4.3 Open Space and Green Infrastructure 30



1 Introduction

Following the adoption of our 2013 Westminster Air Quality Action Plan, we reviewed

our last ten years’ pollution data to identify trends in air quality. This report presents

the finding of this review and also fulfils the following statutory reporting duties:

2013 Air Quality Progress Report

2014 Air Quality Progress Report

Additionally, this report provides the following information required by the Greater

London Authority (GLA):

Information on air quality action for the general public;

Assessment of performance against ‘Cleaner Air Borough’ criteria; and

Details on air-quality related public health activity.

1.1 Description of Local Authority Area

Westminster is home to a growing resident population of over 224,000 swelling to

more than 1 million during the day with the influx of workers and visitors.

Westminster has approximately 673,000 employees – the most of any other London

borough by some distance, representing 13% of London’s workforce and nearly twice

the amount when compared to the second highest London borough, which is the City

of London. This number is projected to rise by 10% up to 2031. Westminster also has

the single largest number of businesses of any London borough, with 50,100

currently located in the City, which is around 12% of London’s total. Neighbouring

Camden has the second highest number with around 24,000. In terms of output

generated by Westminster’s economy, in 2011 Westminster’s GVA (Gross Value

Added) was £46bn which equates to 16% of London’s total and over 3% of national

GVA.

Commercial activities can be found throughout the City but are concentrated in the

Central Activities Zone and in the Paddington, Victoria and Tottenham Court Road



Opportunity Areas. To the north and west of the Central Activities Zone and to its

south as far as the River Thames, housing, in a wide variety of built forms, is the

principal land use. Westminster has some of the most expensive housing in the

country in places such as Belgravia, Knightsbridge and St. John’s Wood but also has

some of the worst deprivation in areas such as Church Street, Harrow Road and

Queens Park.

All or most of five Royal Parks are within Westminster, as are 21 historic squares and

gardens, over 11,000 listed buildings and conservation areas which cover 75% of the

Borough’s area. The River Thames forms the southern boundary of the Borough.

Westminster has four of London’s main line railway termini with two, Paddington and

Victoria, having direct connections to airports and ten out of twelve London

Underground lines, including the network’s busiest underground station at Victoria.

In common with many other urban areas, Westminster suffers from poor air quality.

This is a result of the millions of vehicles that travel through the area and the dense

network of roads and buildings which not only emit pollution, but also prevent

pollution from dispersing. In addition to pollution from transport, domestic and

commercial sources such as heating contribute greatly to the overall levels of

pollution. Background pollution generated elsewhere also contributes to the

concentrations that are measured in Westminster. Sources can be both man-made

and natural, and are closely linked to weather systems and the geography of the

area.



Figure 1.1 Westminster’s Key Diagram



1.2 Purpose of Progress Report

This report fulfils the requirements of the Local Air Quality Management process as

set out in Part IV of the Environment Act (1995), the Air Quality Strategy for England,

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 2007 and the relevant Policy and Technical

Guidance documents. The LAQM process places an obligation on all local authorities

to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas, and to determine whether or

not the air quality objectives are likely to be achieved. Where exceedences are

considered likely, the local authority must then declare an Air Quality Management

Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the

measures it intends to put in place in pursuit of the objectives.

Progress Reports are required in the intervening years between the three-yearly

Updating and Screening Assessment reports. Their purpose is to maintain continuity

in the Local Air Quality Management process.

They are not intended to be as detailed as Updating and Screening Assessment

Reports, or to require as much effort. However, if the Progress Report identifies the

risk of exceedence of an Air Quality Objective, the Local Authority (LA) should

undertake a Detailed Assessment immediately, and not wait until the next round of

Review and Assessment.



1.3 Air Quality Objectives

The air quality objectives, as set out in the Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (SI

928) and the Air Quality (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 3043), are

shown in the following table.

Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be

achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 16.25 µg/m3 Running annual

mean 31.12.2003

5.00 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2010

1,3-Butadiene 2.25 µg/m3 Running annual

mean 31.12.2003

Carbon monoxide 10 mg/m3 Running 8-hour

mean 31.12.2003

Lead 0.50 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2004

0.25 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2008

Nitrogen dioxide

200 µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a

year

1-hour mean 31.12.2005

40 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31.12.2004

40 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2004

Sulphur dioxide

350 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31.12.2004

125 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31.12.2004

266 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31.12.2005



1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

Table 1.2 Summary of Previous Air Quality Reports

Report Date

Published

First round Review and Assessment 1998

Declaration of borough-wide AQMA for NO2 and PM10 Mar 1999

Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan (AQSAP) Jan 2001

Further Assessment (Stage 4b) Jan 2003

Update and Screening Assessment (USA) 2003 Dec 2003

Progress Report 2004 Apr 2004

Detailed Assessment (SO2 at Paddington Station) Apr 2005

Progress Report 2005 Jul 2005


Review of Monitoring (AEA Technology) Mar 2007

Progress Report 2007 May 2007


Modelling and Source Apportionment Aug 2008

Developing a new AQSAP - Consultation Aug 2008

Update and Screening Assessment 2009 Aug 2009

Air Quality Action Plan Progress Report 2009 Aug 2009

Progress Report 2010 Aug 2010

Progress Report 2011 April 2012

Air Quality Action Plan 2013 - 2018 April 2013

Update and Screening Assessment (USA) 2012 June 2013

Air Quality Action Plan Progress Report 2012 June 2013



Figure 1.2 Map of AQMA Boundary



2 Monitoring Data

2.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

2.1.1 Automatic Monitoring Sites

In January 2014, we installed a new site in Victoria, making a total of four monitoring

sites, as detailed in Table 2.1. Two are Defra managed ‘Automatic Urban and Rural

Air Quality Network’ (AURN) sites: one located on Marylebone Road, adjacent to the

University of Westminster, the other near Horseferry Road, adjacent to the

Westminster Mortuary and Coroner’s Court.

Two additional sites are operated by the Council: one situated in Oxford Street and

one in the Victoria Palace Theatre in Victoria Street. Both sites form part of the

London Air Quality Network (LAQN) and the QA/QC standards are similar to those of

the AURN. Regular calibrations are carried out and data ratification is undertaken by

King’s College London.

Table 2.2 gives a list of all historic monitoring sites.

2.1.1 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

There are no non-automatic monitoring sites in Westminster, since diffusion tube

monitoring ceased in 2010.



Figure 2.1 Map of Current Automatic Monitoring Sites.



Table 2.1 Details of Current Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type X/Y OS

Grid Reference

Inlet Height

(m) Pollutants Monitored/ Monitoring Technique

In AQMA?

Relevant Exposure?(Y/N with distance (m) from monitoring site to relevant exposure)

Distance to Kerb of

Nearest Road (m)(N/A if not

applicable)

Does this Location

Represent Worst-Case Exposure?

Marylebone Road (aka London Marylebone)

Kerbside 528121 182015

2.5m CO, NO2, O3, PM10 (gravimetric), PM10 (TEOM), PM10, (FDMS), PM2.5 (TEOM), Hydrocarbons, SO2

Y Y (0m) 1.5m Y

Horseferry Road (aka. London Westminster)

Urban Background

529778 178960

3m

CO, NO2, O3, PM10, (gravimetric), SO2, Y Y (0m) N/A N

Oxford Street Kerbside 528276 181065

1.5m PM10, (gravimetric), NO2 Y Y (0m) 1m Y

Victoria Palace Theatre (installed 2014)

Urban Background

529045 179163

7m NO2 (Chemiluminescent) Y Y (12m) 12 N

Table 2.2 Details of Historic Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type X/Y OS

Grid Reference

Inlet Height

(m) Pollutants Monitored/ Monitoring Technique

Distance to Kerb of Nearest Road (m)(N/A if not applicable)

Does this Location Represent Worst-Case Exposure?

Date of Installation

Date of Closure

Charing Cross Library Roadside 529997 180699

12m NO2 5m N 1/3/2003 1/1/2012

Covent Garden Urban Background

530444 180903

2m NO2 N/A N July 2001 1/1/2012

Hyde Park Urban Background

527674 180396

2m PM10, (gravimetric) N/A N 31/1/2006 15/2/2010

All sites are within the AQMA boundary and representative of public exposure.



2.2 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

2.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Automatic Monitoring Data

During 2012 NO2 was automatically monitored at a total of two sites in

Westminster. During 2013 NO2 was automatically monitored at a total of three

sites in Westminster.

In 2012, the NO2 annual mean objective was exceeded at Marylebone Road

and met at Horseferry Road with a borderline concentration of 39 µg/m3. The

NO2 hourly mean objective was exceeded at Marylebone Road and met at

Horseferry Road.

In 2013, the NO2 annual mean objective was exceeded at all three monitoring

sites, Marylebone Road, Horseferry Road and Oxford Street. The NO2 hourly

mean objective was exceeded at Marylebone Road and Oxford Street and

was met Horseferry Road. Levels of NO2 in Oxford Street were over three

times the annual objective.

All NO2 monitoring sites are representative of public exposure. Westminster

has a borough-wide AQMA so all sites fall within its boundary.

The instrument used is a chemiluminescent analyser designed to measure the

concentration of nitric oxide (NO), total oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and, by

calculation, nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Data which is not fully ratified is presented in italics. Data which exceeds the

objectives is presented in bold.



Table 2.3 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO2: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? Valid Data Capture 2012

% Valid Data Capture 2013

%

Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m

3)

2012

2013

Marylebone Road

Kerbside Y >90 >90 94 80

Horseferry Road

Urban Background Y >90 >90 39 46

Oxford Street

Kerbside Y Not operational 86 Not operational 126

Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO2: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? Valid Data Capture 2012

% Valid Data Capture 2013

%

Number of Hourly Means > 200µg/m

3

2012

2013

Marylebone Road

Kerbside Y >90 >90 122 46

Horseferry Road

Urban Background Y >90 >90 0 0

Oxford Street

Kerbside Y

No operational 86 Not operational 1281 (396)

99.8th percentile of hourly mean in brackets where data capture is less than 90%.



Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites

The table below shows the NO2 annual means over the last decade. Charts are given where we have datasets which can be used

to show trends. As can be seen, at both the Marylebone Road kerbside site and the Horseferry Road urban background site there

is an apparent decreasing NO2 annual mean concentration trend. At the Horseferry Road site, concentration levels still exceed the

annual objective of 40 µg/m3; though levels are borderline and on some years the objective is met, albeit by a small margin. At

Marylebone Road, concentrations are still significantly higher than the objective level, although the downward trend is encouraging.

At the, now closed, Charing Cross and Covent Garden monitoring sites there has been a trend of increasing annual mean NO2

concentrations, with Charing Cross indicating a steady increase over the last decade. The two sites were closed in 2011 due to

funding cuts: before their closure both sites were measuring annual means in excess of the objective value. A full data set is given

in Appendix B: Full NO2 Data Set.

Table 2.5 2004 – 2013 Summary Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO2: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site

2004

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Charing Cross Library

73 72 83 86 78 84 89 82 Site

Closed Site

Closed

Marylebone Road 109 112 110 102 115 107 98 97 94 80

Horseferry Road 46 48 50 37 40 44 49 41 39 46

Covent Garden 53 50 49 No Data No Data 49 52 60 Site

Closed Site

Closed

Victoria Street 34 33 Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed Site

Closed

Oxford Street Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational Not

Operational 126



Figure 2.2 Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Marylebone Road

Marylebone Road

Linear (Marylebone Road)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Horseferry Road

Horseferry Road

Linear (Horseferry Road)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Covent Garden

Covent Garden

Linear (Covent Garden )

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100



Linear (Charing Cross Library)



Particulate Matter (PM10)

During 2012 and 2013, PM10 was monitored at three sites: Marylebone Road,

Horseferry Road and Oxford Street.

In 2012, the PM10 annual mean objective was met at all monitoring sites. The

Marylebone Road TEOM (VCM) data showed a borderline result of 38 µg/m3.

The PM10 24 hour mean objective was achieved at all monitors with the

exception of Marylebone Road TEOM (VCM).

In 2013, the PM10 annual mean objective and PM10 24 hour mean objective

was met at all monitoring sites.

All sites are representative of public exposure. Westminster has a borough

wide AQMA so all sites fall within its boundary.

PM10 monitoring at Marylebone Road is undertaken using gravimetric quartz,

TEOM and TEOM-FDMS methodologies; at Horseferry Road using TEOM-

FDMS and; at Oxford Street using gravimetric quartz. TEOM data has been

adjusted using the volatile correction method (VCM), details of which are given

in Appendix A: QA:QC Data

Data which is not fully ratified is presented in italics. Data which exceeds the

objectives is presented in bold.



Table 2.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA?

Monitor Valid Data Capture

2012 % Valid Data

Capture 2013 %

Confirm Gravimetric

Equivalent (Y or N/A)

Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m

3)

2012

2013

Marylebone Road Kerbside Y

Gravimetric

>90 No data Y 31 No data

TEOM (VCM)

>90 >90 Y 38 34

TEOM+FDMS

85% >90 Y 31 29

Horseferry Road Urban Background

Y TEOM+FDMS

89%

>90

Y

18

18

Oxford Street Kerbside Y Gravimetric

77% 83% Y 31 31



Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA?

Monitor Valid Data Capture

2012 % Valid Data

Capture 2013 %

Confirm Gravimetric

Equivalent (Y or N/A)

Number of Daily Means > 50µg/m

3

2012

2013

Marylebone Road Kerbside Y

Gravimetric

>90 No data Y 27 No data

TEOM (VCM)

>90 >90 Y 48 25

TEOM+FDMS

85% >90 Y 23 (46) 22

Horseferry Road Urban Background

Y TEOM+FDMS

89%

>90

Y 10 (33) 5

Oxford Street Kerbside Y Gravimetric

77% 83% Y 18 (44)

25 (44)

90.4th percentile of hourly mean in brackets where data capture is less than 90%.



Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations Measured

The table below shows the PM10 annual mean concentrations over the last decade. Charts are given where we have datasets

which can be used to show trends.

As can be seen, at the Marylebone Road kerbside site and the Horseferry Road urban background site there is an apparent

decreasing PM10 annual mean concentration trend, to the point that the annual objective of 40 µg/m3 is consistently achieved.

This continued downward trend is likely to be largely due to improving vehicle engine standards and is very encouraging. A full

data set is given in Appendix C: Full PM10 Data Set

Table 2.8 2004 – 2013 Summary Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site Monitor

2004

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Marylebone Road

Gravimetric

40 42 43 42 35 35 30 35 31 No data

TEOM (VCM)

37 38 39 37 39 37 35 41 38 34

TEOM+FDMS

33 33 33* 41* 35 34 32 38 31 29

Horseferry Road

Gravimetric (2004-2008), TEOM+FDMS (2008-2013)

25 28 28 28 22 15* 21* 19 18 18

Oxford Street Gravimetric

36*

29*

27* 30 31 31

* These annual means result from very low data capture and have not been used in the plotting of the trend charts below.



Figure 2.3 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Marylebone Road - Gravimetric

Marylebone Road - Gravimetric

Linear (Marylebone Road - Gravimetric)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Marylebone Road - TEOM (VCM)

Marylebone Road - TEOM (VCM)

Linear (Marylebone Road - TEOM (VCM))

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Marylebone Road - TEOM+FDMS

Marylebone Road - TEOM+FDMS

Linear (Marylebone Road - TEOM+FDMS)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Horseferry Road - Grav (2004-2008), TEOM+FDMS (2008-2013)

Horseferry Road - Gravimetric (2004-2008), TEOM+FDMS (2008-2013)

Linear (Horseferry Road - Gravimetric (2004-2008), TEOM+FDMS (2008-2013))



2.2.2 Other Pollutants Monitored

Historic monitoring of the following pollutants has shown that concentration levels in

Westminster consistently achieve the required objectives. These are not pollutants

of concern within Westminster and the Council no longer, therefore, reports on them.

Sulphur Dioxide

Benzene

1,3 Butadiene

Lead in air

Carbon Monoxide

2.2.3 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

Westminster City Council has examined the results from monitoring in the City of

Westminster.

Concentrations within the AQMA still exceed the annual and hourly means for

nitrogen dioxide and the AQMA should remain. Concentrations within the AQMA

largely achieve the annual and daily means for PM10.



3 New Local Developments

Westminster City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified local

developments of such significance, that will have an impact on air quality within the

Local Authority area.

Westminster City Council confirms that all the following have been considered:

Road traffic sources

Other transport sources

Industrial sources

Commercial and domestic sources

New developments with fugitive or uncontrolled sources.



4 Public Information – Summary of key air quality actions

4.1 Air Quality

The Council has committed to take action to improve air quality. It was the first local

authority in the UK to declare an ‘Air Quality Management Area’ in 1999 and was the

first to adopt an Air Quality Action Plan in 2001. In 2013 the latest version of our Air

Quality Action Plan was adopted, and it continues to provide a robust and focused

set of local measures and uses statutory planning and transport policies to ensure air

quality improvements are delivered.



4.2 School Engagement

The Council has delivered approximately £1m worth of projects to deliver sustainable

transport solutions and air quality improvements around schools over the last three

years. For example: the development of sustainable travel plans to help improve air

quality and congestion at the school gates, and new physical measures to make it

easier for children and parents to get to the schools in a safe and sustainable way.

Over 35% of schools in Westminster currently have travel plans in place; by the end

of the 2014 school year we aim to have increased this to 50%, and aim to have

worked with all private and public schools by July 2016. Currently, 83% of students

from schools with travel plans use a sustainable mode of travel to and from school

every day. The Council also worked closely with the voluntary and academic sectors

to develop lesson plans to increase understanding and knowledge of air quality and

its impact on health. Increasing the take up of cycling to and from school is a key

objective of the Council’s draft Cycling Strategy (see 4.12 below).

The Council has recently installed living walls in two schools: St. Vincent de Paul

School in Victoria and St. Marylebone School.

4.3 Coach Parking

Emissions from coaches parked within the City are source of pollution and noise

nuisance. The Council has installed ‘switch off engine' signs in Westminster’s coach

parking bays to reduce unnecessary idling of vehicles. This will be shortly supported

by a communications campaign with local residents and businesses.



Figure 4.1 Example of ‘Switch off engine’ sign, at Old Cavendish Street bus stand

4.4 Air Quality Monitoring

A new air quality monitoring station at Victoria has been added to Westminster’s

network, funded by a s106 legal agreement. The Westminster monitoring network

consist of four monitoring stations and gives the Council, and stakeholders, a

thorough understanding of the patterns and levels of air pollution in the City.

4.5 Business Engagement

We work closely with our eight Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) to increase

awareness and understanding of the impacts of businesses, with the aim of lowering

air quality impacts associated with transport, business services and buildings. We

have been focusing our business engagement activities primarily in Paddington and

Victoria. The response has been very positive, with over 50 large companies and

landowners engaged with the process and with several major companies committing

to improving air quality and reducing emissions.

We have identifying areas for electric vehicle posts for business use; offered local

businesses free trials of electric vehicles to encourage take up; and worked with the



Cross River Partnership (CRP), a sub regional partnership of local authorities and

BIDS, to deliver freight consolidation which will reduce traffic congestion and improve

local air quality.

4.6 Westminster’s Energy Future

Westminster has some of the highest carbon emissions in the UK. The City is close

to using all the power that is available from the National Grid. With extra economic

growth, supply must increase (new power supply and substations into the City) or

more local energy generation and efficiency delivered.

The Council commissioned the ‘Westminster Energy Master Plan’ to help deliver the

City’s power needs for the future. We hope to launch the plan in 2014.

Figure 4.2 Slide from UKPN, highlighting the grid capacity in Westminster and central London.



4.7 A Food Waste Energy Study in Soho

The Council, in partnership with local stakeholders, has undertaken a feasibility study

of small scale anaerobic digestion combined heat and power in the West End (using

food waste from restaurants to generate heat and power for local homes and

businesses). If this is feasible, it could complement larger scale decentralised heat

network development in the City. It could also help the Council to meet its waste

management obligations, reduce traffic congestion and tackle fuel poverty.

4.8 Community Power

The Council aims to deliver energy efficiency projects in community buildings. We will

use the Mayor of London’s RE:FIT Programme and assess the Abbey Community

Centre and the Westminster Achieve Centre.

4.9 Soho Retrofit Best Practise

The Council, in partnership, has developed a best practise guide showing the cost

benefits of retrofitting energy efficiency measures into the heritage buildings of the

City. Launched in 2013, this guide has already been highlighted by the Greater

London Authority as a tool to help property owners improve the performance of their

buildings in a sensible and cost effective manner, highlighting restrictions that may

need to be addressed and setting out clear payback periods for technologies and

measures.

4.10 Green Infrastructure

Despite our urban character, just over 48% of the City is identified as Green and

Open Space.

Westminster has a diverse ecology containing 32 sites of importance for nature

conservation. The five Royal Parks comprise the majority of the parkland but there

are also smaller parks, garden squares and private gardens. The River Thames,

Grand Union Canal and Regents Canal also provide valuable habitats and a pleasant

environment, and opportunities for exercise and recreation, for residents, business

and visitors. They will also be increasingly valuable in helping to mitigate the urban



heat island effect (caused by urban areas being slower to cool at night) which will

help make the City as a whole more liveable in a warming climate.

Figure 4.3 Open Space and Green Infrastructure

In 2014 the Council is refreshing its Biodiversity / Open Spaces Strategy and is

creating working groups with stakeholders (such as the BID’s, the Great Estates and

Royal Parks) to deliver and improve green infrastructure. The new strategy will

include the ecological, wider environmental, social (including health), and economic

aspects and benefits, and will balance the need to protect and preserve wildlife with a

need to create an environment in which people and business can thrive.

The Council has worked with CRP to encourage business to install green

infrastructure and energy saving measures and is supporting BIDS in Northbank and

Edgware Road to conduct their own green infrastructure audits.



4.11 Electric vehicle Infrastructure

Westminster currently has the highest number of electric vehicle recharging points

and users compared to any other local authority area in the UK, with over 150

charging points in private car parks, and just under 50 recharging bays on-street. In

the last six months residential and business requests for charging infrastructure have

increased. The City Council joined Source London in 2013 and is closely involved in

the discussions about the future of Source London and the further roll out of EV

infrastructure in the City.

4.12 Cycling Strategy

We have drafted a Westminster Cycling Strategy. This strategy examines the

opportunities and challenges associated with the increase in cycling, and how further

growth will be encouraged and supported. The strategy has ambitious aims, and the

overall vision is to make it safer and easier for more people to cycle in Westminster,

and thereby increase the proportion who choose to do so.

In 2011 there were over 100,000 trips each day made on bicycles in Westminster by

people living and working in the city. Currently, approximately 3% of all trips

originating in Westminster are made by bike, but the City Council aims to increase

this percentage to at least 7% by 2025/26 exceeding the Mayor’s target of 5% for

Westminster.

The Cycling Strategy will be adopted in 2014 and will be followed by a Walking

Strategy.

4.13 Code of Construction Practise

A revised Code of Construction Practice, to be launched during 2014, will set out how

the impacts of construction will be managed in the City. The new Code of

Construction Practice will include new requirements for managing the impacts of

basement construction in order to minimise the negative effects of construction (e.g.

noise, dust, vibration, truck movements) on residents.



5 Cleaner Air Borough status and performance

In April 2013, Westminster City Council signed-up to become a ‘Cleaner Air Borough’

and has successfully performed against its six criteria, as shown below:

5.1 Political leadership

5.1.1 Air Quality Action Plan

In 2013 the latest version of our Air Quality Action Plan was formally adopted. It

provides a robust and focused set of local measures and uses statutory planning and

transport policies to ensure air quality improvements are delivered. The wide range

of planned and effective action is designed to bring about a reduction in pollutants

and to minimise exposure to those pollutants.

5.1.2 Better City Better Lives

Air Quality action was fully integrated into Westminster’s ‘Better City, Better Lives’

corporate plan to make Westminster a safer, healthier, more enterprising and more

connected city.

In the March 2013 plan, we stated our ambition to:

“...launch our Air Quality Action Plan that will see us work with businesses,

schools and transport operators to cut emissions, raise awareness about air

quality issues, and encourage measures that minimise emissions such as

installing more Electric Vehicle points, joining Source London, new ‘no idling’

signage in Westminster’s coach bays, freight consolidation initiatives and

reviewing our Code of Construction Practice.”



5.2 Taking action

Action has been taken to improve air quality and reduce exposure. Details can be

found in Section 4 and Table D.1.

5.3 Leading by example

5.3.1 Monitoring

The Council maintains an air quality monitoring network so that air quality within the

borough can be properly understood, and to inform developers for planning

purposes. In 2013, a new monitoring site in Victoria was added to the network.

5.3.2 Fleet policy and Major contracts

Westminster has had a ‘Green Fleet’ plan for a number of years and was most

recently updated in 2008 setting targets for up to 2014, including 20% reduction in

NOX, PM10 and CO2 emissions. The Fleet Policy has been incorporated into the

Procurement Policy. External Contractors must now provide environmental data on

vehicles used on contracts and report on fuel use emissions. Details of the recent re-

let process of the Council Highways contract are confidential, but vehicle emissions

have been factored into the decision making process.

Similarly, the tender specification for the re-let of the Westminster Waste, Recycling

and Street Cleansing contract in 2009/10 included objectives to reduce air pollution

and carbon emissions: the new fleet having significantly lower emissions than

previous ones.

5.3.3 Procurement Framework

The Council is currently reviewing its procurement procedures and developing an

improved framework which further promotes environmental sustainability. This could

include:

Energy efficiency and carbon reduction - through goods and services (e.g. fleet,

computer/office equipment)



Embedding water efficiency - through services and buildings

Flooding planning - addressing surface water (flood) risk and ensuring service

delivery

Biodiversity impacts - ensuring that services do not negatively impact on key

biodiversity species and habitats

Delivering air quality improvements - through goods and services (e.g. fleet)

Assuring the environmental practices of our suppliers

Minimising waste - reducing our landfill bill

5.4 Using the planning system

5.4.1 Air Quality Planning Policy

In keeping with the London Plan, planning applications in Westminster which have

the potential in adversely affects local air quality are subject to Air Quality

Assessments as well as being subject to scrutiny to ensure they comply with local

transport plans and policies and energy policies. Westminster adopted strategic

planning policy (S31) states:

‘The council will require a reduction of air pollution, with the aim of meeting the

objectives for pollutants set out in the national strategy.

Developments will minimise emissions of air pollution from both static and traffic-

generated sources.

Developments that include uses that are more vulnerable to air pollution (Air Quality

Sensitive Receptors) will minimise the impact of poor air quality on occupants

through the design of the building and appropriate technology.’

(‘Air Quality Sensitive Receptors’ comprises schools, day care centres and nurseries,

hospitals, care homes for the elderly and similar institutions where occupiers are

particularly vulnerable to air pollution.)



The council requires developers to undertake an Air Quality Assessment (AQA)

where a development may have affect air quality. Where the AQA shows a

development is likely to have an adverse effect, or expose sensitive users to high

levels of pollution, planning permission will be refused unless changes are made to

reduce the development’s effect on air quality or exposure to acceptable levels.

As part of our emerging local plan, the Council is developing new policies to manage

air, noise and light pollution, and construction impacts, construction waste and

contaminated land. These policies should secure a better and more liveable

environment. We are now undergoing informal public consultation on our policy

approach.

5.4.2 Construction Code of Practice

On an average day, more than 600 building projects are under way in Westminster.

The demolition and construction phases of any development can have a significant

impact on both residential and business amenity and the environment.

The Council has recently drafted a revised Code of Construction Practice for

managing the impacts of construction, such as dust, noise, air quality and transport

movements, from developments including some basement construction.

Following public consultation, we hope to launch the new Code of Construction

Practice during 2014.

5.5 Integrating air quality into the public health system

The Air Quality Action Plan is one of the underpinning strategies of Westminster’s

Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy. The Westminster Joint Strategic Needs

Assessment (JSNA) Highlights Report 2013-14 makes reference to air pollution and

deaths attributable to pollution. Westminster’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

also notes that parts of the city are among the worst performers in air quality tests in

Europe.



In addition, in 2014/15 we aim to deliver a communication programme which will

increase public understanding of air pollution and the practical steps individuals can

take to mitigate the impact of poor air quality on their health; with a particular focus

on communications with groups vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality, such as

those with cardio-vascular conditions.

5.6 Informing the public

The Council undertakes numerous initiatives to engage with the pubic on air quality

issues such as those listed below, details of which can be found in section 4.

Schools engagement

Coach parking and idling

Air quality monitoring

Business engagement.

We continue to monitor air quality across the City and make the data available via the

londonair.org website.



The Council’s own website provides valuable air quality information and is regularly

updated.

We have included articles in Westminster’s own publications, which are distributed

across the borough, to promote air quality massages, including promoting AirTEXT.



6 Air Quality and Public Health

The GLA’s bespoke ‘Air Quality in Westminster – A Guide for Public Health

Professionals’ is referenced in our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

information portal www.jsna.info under the Wider Determinants of Health Reports

section.

Our JSNA Highlights Report 2013-14 notes that Westminster has the highest carbon

emissions in London (not including the City of London) and air pollution is featured in

the ‘Building Healthy and Sustainable Communities’ section. The report notes that

‘the proportion of death attributable to air pollution is estimated to be the highest

nationally (excluding the City of London), primarily through cardiovascular disease’

and lists measures that can be taken to offset increases in air pollution.

Westminster’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy notes that the borough ‘falls

within the worst 20% of areas nationally for outdoor living environment ... and parts of

the city are among the worst performers in air quality tests in Europe’. The Strategy

lists a number of relevant underpinning strategies and plans including the Air Quality

Action Plan, the Open Space Strategy and the Sustainable Models of Travel

Strategy. The Strategy takes action in five key areas:

Every child has the best start in life

Enabling young people to have a healthy adulthood

Supporting economic and social wellbeing and opportunity

Ensuring access to appropriate care at the right time

Supporting people to remain independent for longer

Whilst none of these priorities explicitly mention air quality, there are links air quality

interventions. For example, we are intending to work with Adult Social Care and the

Central London Clinical Commissioning Group to provide information to people living

with cardiovascular and respiratory disease on ways they can mitigate the effects of

air pollution on their condition. This will help people living with long-term conditions

to remain independent for longer.

http://www.jsna.info/



7 Implementation of Air Quality Action Plan

7.1 Background

The Council has committed to take action to improve air quality for over a decade.

The first Air Quality Action Plan in 2001 implemented a raft of measures such as

pioneering the concept of a Low Emission Zone for London, increasing the use of

alternative fuels, installing electric vehicle on-street recharging points, improving

Westminster’s own vehicle fleet, and establishing residential Coach and Heavy

Goods Vehicle (HGV) Ban Areas to protect local residents from the impact of heavy

through traffic.

In April 2013, the Council adopted its revised Air Quality Action Plan which aims to

deliver real improvements in air quality and build on our successes to better equip

ourselves for a sustainable future.

The Action Plan can be viewed at www.westminster.gov.uk/airquaity/aqap

7.2 Air Quality Action Plan progress

A summary of progress to date is given in Table D.1 in Appendix D: Air Quality

Action Plan progress



8 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

8.1 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Concentrations within the AQMA still exceed the annual and hourly means for

NO2 and the AQMA should remain.

Concentrations within the AQMA achieve the annual and daily means for PM10

and the Council will be considering 2014 data with a view to undertaking a

Detailed Assessment in due course.

No further Detailed Assessment is required at this time.

8.2 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

The assessment of new local sources and developments has not identified

any significant impacts on air quality. It is concluded that it will not be

necessary to proceed to Detailed Assessment.

8.3 Proposed Actions

Because no amendments to the AQAM and no new local sources have been

identified, no Detailed Assessment is required for any pollutant.

The next formal course of action will be the completion of the 2015 report.



Appendix A: QA:QC Data

QA/QC of Automatic Monitoring TEOM data has been adjusted using the volatile correction method (VCM).

Horseferry Road and Marylebone Road monitoring sites are AURN sites and

therefore have AURN QA/QC procedures.

For all other sites, monitoring data is collected, validated and ratified by ERG, King’s

College London. QA/QC procedures are similar to those of the AURN network.

Calibrations are carried out by a Local Site Operator from City of Westminster on a

fortnightly schedule.



Appendix B: Full NO2 Data Set

Location

2004 2005 2006 2007

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Marylebone Rd >90 109 527 >90 112 834 >90 110 665 >90 102 445

Horseferry Rd 78 46 3 82 48 10 >90 50 5 77 37 0

Charing Cross >90 73 10 87 72 22 >90 83 118 89 86 70

Covent Garden 88 53 0 67 50 0 43 49 1 - - -

Victoria Street 74 34 0 24 33 0 Closed - - - - -

Location

2008 2009 2010 2011

Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Marylebone Rd >90 115 801 >90 107 469 >90 98 524 >90 97 217

Horseferry Rd >90 40 1 >90 44 2 >90 49 5 >90 41 8

Charing Cross >90 78 24 82 84 23 (202) >90 89 33 2 82 0

Covent Garden - - - 50 49 0 (123) >90 52 0 2 60 0

Location

2012 2013

Data Capture

Annual Mean


Data Capture

Annual Mean


Marylebone Rd >90 94 122 >90 80 46

Horseferry Rd >90 39 0 >90 46 0

Oxford Street - - - 86 126 1281 (396)



Appendix C: Full PM10 Data Set

Site Methodology

2013

2012 2011 2010

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Marylebone Rd

Gravimetric - - - >90 31 27 79% 35 35 (51) 82% 30 15 (46)

TEOM (VCM) >90 34 25 >90 38 48 >90 41 76 >90 35 46

TEOM+FDMS >90 29 22 85% 31 23 (46) >90 38 58 >90 32 25

Horseferry Rd Gravimetric - - - - - - - - - - - -

TEOM+FDMS >90 18 5 89% 18 10 (33) 76% 19 8 (34) 56% 21 1 (33)

Oxford Street Gravimetric 83% 31 25 (44) 77% 31 18 (44) >90 30 23 22% 27 3 (38)

Site Methodology

2009

2008 2007 2006

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Marylebone Rd

Gravimetric 79% 35 36 (52) 80% 35 32 (53) 65% 42 47 (71) 76% 43 68 (64)

TEOM (VCM) >90 37 41 >90 39 68 >90 37 54 >90 39 66

TEOM+FDMS >90 34 32 >90 35 42 14% 41 14 49% 33 17

Horseferry Rd Gravimetric - - - 88% 22 9 (39) 92% 28 23 96% 28 27

TEOM+FDMS 2% 15 0(0) - - - - - - - - -



Site Methodology

2005

2004

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Data Capture

Annual Mean

No. Days

exceed Daily Mean

Marylebone Rd

Gravimetric 88% 42 75 (68) 84% 40 63 (57)

TEOM (VCM) >90 38 74 >90 37 56

TEOM+FDMS >90 33 39 >90 33 38

Horseferry Rd Gravimetric 95% 28 29 94% 25 17



Appendix D: Air Quality Action Plan progress

Table D.1 Action Plan Progress

No. Measure Focus Timescale Indicator Progress in Last 12 Months (AQAP adopted in April 2013) Estimated Completion Date

1 TRAN 1

Work with TfL to investigate options for reducing through-traffic in specific parts of Westminster, such as Oxford Street and Marylebone Road, and to examine the options for reducing air pollution at hotspots.

Ongoing Traffic counts on major roads.

The Major Schemes Programme has been developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders that include TfL, land owners, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and developers. The schemes may have a wide range of benefits include the reduction of vehicle speeds, improvements in the pedestrian and cycling environment, enhanced surfaces, and widened footways. These improvements will all contribute to improving local air quality, as well as enhance the profile of sustainable modes of travel. Major public realm schemes are being developed at:

Baker Street Two Way

Bond Street

Oxford Street West

Soho

Newport Place & China Town

Queensway

Church Street

Edgware Road

Ongoing

2 TRAN 2

Examine potential options and implement actions to minimise pedestrian exposure to high levels of pollution.

Ongoing No. of air quality measures implements at hot-spots/hot-routes.

Ongoing




3 TRAN 3

Support car clubs with particular emphasis on the inclusion of low emission vehicles in the fleet.

Ongoing Car club members; No. eco vehicles in car clubs.

As of the end of January 2014, there are 9,540 members using 185 car club vehicles in Westminster. Each Westminster Car Club vehicle aims to remove 15-20 privately-owned vehicles from the road, meaning fewer emissions and less parked cars.

Ongoing




4 TRAN 4

Continue to promote and provide infrastructure for electric and low emission vehicles.

Ongoing Members of Electric vehicle recharging scheme; Electric recharging points installed.

There are currently 43 recharging bays in Westminster and the City Council is on target to have nearly 50 on-street recharging bays by the end of 2013/14. The City Council is consulting residents and businesses on new proposed locations. Locations include: Artesian Road (Bayswater), Connaught Street (Hyde Park), Kilburn Park Road (Maida Vale), Paddington Street & Devonshire Street (Marylebone High Street), Ilbert Street (Queen’s Park), Prince Albert Road, St John’s Wood Road & Grove End Road (Regent’s Park),Dean Bradley Street (St James’s), Vincent Square (Vincent Square),Dunraven Street and Berners Street (West End). In the last month the City Council have received 10 residents requests for new electric vehicle recharging bays in an area close to their homes. Membership of the electric vehicle charging scheme is now administered by the pan-London ‘Source’ scheme. We understand that approximately 800 ‘Source’ members use charging points within Westminster Cumulative totals of charging posts in Westminster:

2011/13 37 posts 2012/13 43 posts 2013/14 50 posts (planned)

Ongoing




5 TRAN 5

Continue to investigate ways in which freight consolidation can be developed and investigate and develop ways to reduce congestion from delivery vehicles.

Ongoing No. delivery loading pads; No. communication events/initiative undertaken.

Westminster council, as part of the Cross River Partnership (CRP) submitted a bid to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund in May 2013 on behalf of local authority and Business Improvement District and Employer Groups partners within the central London sub-region. Once funding is confirmed, through engagement with the BID and Employer Group partners, there is significant potential to rationalise the movement of freight and deliveries across a larger geographic area, rather than with individual businesses through servicing and delivery plans. The CRP will aim to work with BID and Employer Group member businesses to draw up and implement freight/service delivery plans that will streamline operations, reducing traffic, congestion and emissions. This will be linked to last mile logistics (LaMilo), freight electric vehicles in urban Europe (FREVUE) and other projects where possible. Eco-driver training will also be delivered as part of this strand. Westminster makes provision for certain types of vehicle to be able to stop to carry out loading & unloading activity. You can stop to load an unload as follows: Within dedicated loading bays, on single and double yellow lines when no loading ban is in force, Residents Bays (with Permit), Pay & Display and Pay by Phone bays. Parking Services manage the kerbside space in one of the busiest cities in the world. Demand for space is great and parking/loading is continually enforced to ensure congestion due to loading is minimised.

Westminster annually published its ParkRight guide to inform the public about everything they need to know about driving and parking in the city.

Ongoing




6 TRAN 6

Support and undertake local communication campaigns to raise awareness of the benefits of fuel efficient and smoother driving and evaluate the possibility of supporting providers of fuel efficient driver training through communication to Westminster residents.

2013/14 - ongoing

No. communication events/initiative undertaken.

Not yet commenced 2015




7 TRAN 7

Support schemes to encourage people to use other forms of sustainable travel such as walking and cycling.

Ongoing Length of new cycle routes installed, No. cycle stands installed.

In March 2013 the Mayor of London launched a Vision for Cycling in London which highlights an ambition to see cycling ‘normalised’ by encouraging a broader cross section of people to take up cycling. The Council has now drafted and publicly consulted on a Westminster Cycling Strategy, which sets out how the Council intends to help deliver the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling on a more local level, taking account of Westminster’s unique circumstances and challenges. The strategy examines how people are changing the way that they travel into and around Westminster, the opportunities and challenges associated with the increase in cycling, and how further growth will be encouraged through a wide range of schemes and initiatives. Four high level objectives have been set, and a series of actions identified to help deliver each of these, as set out below. A. Creating safer and more legible routes B. Improving road user interaction, education and enforcement. C. Facilitating bicycle ownership/access and parking. D. Raising awareness and participation in cycling. The strategy will broadly cover the period up to 2026, and will also contain a more detailed implementation programme for the first few years of the strategy. http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transportandstreets/cycling/cyclingstrategy/

Ongoing

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transportandstreets/cycling/cyclingstrategy/

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/transportandstreets/cycling/cyclingstrategy/




8 TRAN 8

Support and promote the implementation of travel plans for schools and businesses.

Ongoing School and business travel plans completed.

There are currently 30 schools that have school travel plans as part of TfL’s STAR Scheme and 6 of them have accreditation levels which mean they have gone above and beyond to promote the use of sustainable transport, active health and in turn air quality. Some of the initiatives/actions that have been completed are as follows: Cycle training, Walking trips, Curriculum lessons, Travel training, Participating in TfL’s Travel Party Scheme, Sponsored walks/runs, Promotion of school travel plans via school websites, parent evenings, reception desks and more, Car free days, Cleaner Air 4 Schools Project in 2012, The Big Pedal – Cycling competition held in March by Sustrans, Walk to School Week, SEN Travel training, Bus days run in partnership with TfL and Metropolitan Police, Safer Transport Team.

Ongoing

9 TRAN 9

Ensure the use of low emission vehicles within the Westminster City Council fleet and those of its contractors and regularly review Fleet Policy and fuel hierarchy to ensure best possible effects for air quality.

Ongoing Eco vehicles in Council fleet.

Westminster has had a ‘Green Fleet’ plan for a number of years and was most recently updated in 2008 setting targets for up to 2014, including 20% reduction in NOX, PM10 and CO2 emissions. The Fleet Policy has been incorporated into the Procurement Policy. External Contractors must now provide environmental data on vehicle used on contract and report on fuel use emissions. Details of the recent re-let process of the Council highways contract are confidential, but vehicle emissions have been factored into the decision making process. The Council’s own (non-contractor) fleet consists of 74 vehicles including hybrid and LPG vehicles with the majority of vehicles being Euro 5.

Ongoing




10 TRAN 10

Compel contractors and associates to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions through tender and contract specification.

Ongoing The Fleet Policy has been incorporated into the Procurement Policy. External Contractors must now provide environmental data on vehicle used on contract and report on fuel use emissions. The lower emissions will score higher during tender evaluations

Ongoing

11 TRAN 11

Continue to commit to the provision of Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training for fleet drivers and evaluate the possibility of:

extending Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) training to the City Council’s contractors’ fleet drivers;

including criteria for Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) of the City Council’s contractors’ fleet drivers within specifications for the tendering process;

assessing the benefits of on-board driving monitoring systems with a view to installing them on fleet vehicles.

Ongoing 2013/14

No. of drivers completing SAFED training.

Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving Training (SAFED) has been rolled out for Council drivers. Work ongoing for the evaluation of extending SAFED training to contractors and for inclusion within procurement processes.

Ongoing




12 TRAN 12

Undertake a review of the options and resource and emissions implications of utilising ‘no idling’ legislation to help improve local air quality.

2013/14 Inclusion on no idling enforcement has not been included within the enforcement remit of Civic Enforcement Officers; however, a Traffic Marshall pilot scheme has been operating in Westminster and this is to be rolled out further. The Marshal’s remit is to be the main point of contact for motorists and pedestrians, help manage access to areas and ensure deliveries of carried out quietly, effectively and with minimal impact. The possibility of the inclusion of idling prevention/information’ within the Marshal’s remit is under discussion.

Ongoing

13 TRAN 13

Communicate the ‘no idling’ message to parked coach drivers on Westminster’s streets by installing signs in coach parking bays on borough managed roads.

2013/14 No. Of no idling signed installed.

Full signage installation has been completed in ~65 key coach parking areas.

Complete

14 TRAN 14

Work with the Mayor to develop procedures to press the operator companies of vehicles found with idling engines to take enforcement action on the drivers of those vehicles.

2013/14 A communications strategy is now being developed to complement the ‘no idling ‘ signs installed in coach parking bays (see above) and allow businesses and the public, who may be affected by idling vehicles where the signage is located, to report alleged idling vehicles. It will be coordinated with officers at Transport for London (TfL) and with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) to ensure key coach operators are involved. A ‘freepost’ postcard is in the final stages of design and is currently awaiting Royal Mail confirmation that the design is appropriate for their automated scanning system. Postcards will be distributed in the vicinity of coach parking bays.

Summer 2014




15 TRAN 15

Improve public communications on air quality and no-idling messages by including information on the impacts of idling on the Council website and in Council publications.

2013/14 A webpage and complimentary articles in Westminster publications have been written to support the no-idling project work (see above)

Complete

16 TRAN 16

Write to the Minister for Transport with responsibility for rail services and to local MP’s setting out the air quality and other benefits that would be achieved by the earliest possible electrification of rail services from Marylebone seeking information on the likely timescales for this.

2013/14

To be completed 2014

17 TRAN 17

Maintain dialogue with TOC’s to review opportunities for improvements in reducing emissions.

Ongoing

Ongoing Ongoing

18 TRAN 18

Communicate with government Ministers to make the case for stronger control of the environmental effects of rail services through existing mechanisms.

2013/14


19 TRAN 19

Raise with TfL and the GLA the importance of appropriate environmental impact assessments within consultation exercises when changes in rail services are proposed (e.g. High Speed Rail 2), and to consult the City Council respectively.

2013/14





20 DEV 1

Require developers to undertake an Air Quality Assessment (AQA) where a development may adversely affect local air quality and require developers to submit an air pollution abatement and mitigation plan where an air quality assessment shows that a new development is likely to have an adverse impact on air quality, or expose new air quality sensitive receptors to poor air quality.

Ongoing Westminster planning policy states ‘The council will require a reduction of air pollution, with the aim of meeting the objectives for pollutants set out in the national strategy. Developments will minimise emissions of air pollution from both static and traffic-generated sources.’ The council requires developers to undertake an Air Quality Assessment (AQA) where a development may have negative air quality impacts. Where the AQA shows that a new development is likely to have an adverse impact on air quality or sensitive receptors the developer will submit an air pollution abatement and mitigation plan. Planning permission will be refused unless adequate mitigation measures are adopted to reduce the air quality impact or exposure to acceptable levels.

Complete

21 DEV 2

Strengthen and further develop air quality policy in the emerging local planning documents in order to develop transparent air quality assessment methodology for planning applications and support planning officers in the assessment of those applications.

Ongoing As part of our emerging local plan, which will cover the next 15-20 years, the Council is developing new policies to manage and mitigate air, noise and light pollution, as well as construction impacts, construction waste and contaminated land. These policies should secure a better and more liveable environment across the City. We are now undergoing informal public consultation on our approach.

2014 and onwards.

22 DEV 3

Include air quality requirements in Sustainable Design SPD to help reduce unwanted emissions from boilers through improved building efficiency, boiler efficiency, using renewable energy and supplying energy efficiently.

2013-2014

The SPD is on hold in lieu of our ongoing consultation and local plan development.

TBC




23 DEV 4

Protect decentralised energy networks in order to provide efficient energy production and to minimise emissions from combustion.

2013/14 No. developments connected to heat networks;

Westminster planning policy states ‘Infrastructure that is or has previously been in use as part of a district heat network will be protected. Major developments should be designed to link to and extend existing heat and energy networks in the vicinity.’ As part of our emerging local plan, which will cover the next 15-20 years, the Council is developing new policies on energy. We are now undergoing informal public consultation on our approach. Energy Master Plan for Westminster has been completed and will be launched shortly; Victoria Circle will deliver a heat and power station for its site. This development is working to connect into the existing Pimlico district heat network (District Heat Undertaking, DHU) and sell its excess heat to Pimlico DHU. Work is underway on the Pimlico DHU to Whitehall Estate connection to deliver carbon reduction in line with Government objectives. WCC in partnership with Sturgis Carbon Profiling have completed the feasibility study of small scale anaerobic digestion combined heat and power in Soho (using food waste from restaurants to generate heat and power for local homes and businesses).

Ongoing

24 DEV 5 Adopt policy which ensures biofuel combustion does not negatively impact on local air quality.

2013/14 No. Biomass burners installed

No known biomass development exists in Westminster. Strong AQ planning policy exists which ensures no negative impact on air quality.

Complete




25 DEV 6 Prioritise low polluting transport options in development.

Ongoing Council planning policy exists for promoting the use of: car clubs, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, cycling, and cycling infrastructure

Complete

26 DEV 7

Require major site developers to comply with the Westminster Code of Construction Practice and the GLA’s ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition: Best Practice Guidance’ to all development sites.

Ongoing No. major developments complying with CoCP

The current Code of Construction Practise (CoCP) applies to all major development in Westminster and sets out our minimum standards and procedures for managing and minimising the environmental impacts of construction projects within Westminster. We are currently reviewing the CoCP and so it may be applicable to a wider range of developments including some basement development. The revised CoCP requires GLA’s ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition: Best Practice Guidance’ and aims to provides important background information on managing construction, and sets out our requirements for:

General site operations

Liaison with the public

Employment and skills

Traffic and transport (including cycle safety)

Noise and vibration

Dust and air pollution

Waste management

Resource efficiency

Water pollution and flood risk

Urban ecology

Heritage assets

Protection of existing installations

2015




27 COMM 1

Publish high quality air quality information via the Westminster City Council website, and investigate new methods of informing and communicating with the public, especially vulnerable groups.

2013/14

We continue to publish high quality air quality information via the Westminster City Council website.

Ongoing

28 COMM 2

Monitor air pollution across the City and periodically review the air quality monitoring network.

Ongoing No. monitoring sites; No. Monitoring reviews undertaken.

Air quality is now monitored at 4 sites across Westminster. Marylebone Road, Horseferry Road, Oxford Street and Victoria Palace Theatre. Victoria Palace Theatre is a new monitoring site, having been commissioned in late 2013.

Ongoing

29 COMM 3

Monitor PM2.5 air pollution across the City and periodically review our air quality monitoring network.

Ongoing No. monitoring sites; No. Monitoring reviews undertaken.

PM2.5 is monitored at 1 site in Westminster, Marylebone Road.

Ongoing

30 COMM 4

Undertake communication campaigns to raise awareness of air pollution health impacts and minimise exposure to pollution, where possible linking with other complementary initiatives.

2013/14 No. communication events/initiative undertaken;

In 2014/15 we will deliver a communication programme which will increase public understanding of the sources and health effects of air pollution and the practical steps individuals can take to mitigate the impact of poor air quality on their health; with a particular focus on communications with groups vulnerable to the effects of poor air quality, such as those with cardio-vascular conditions.

2015

31 COMM 5

Foster links with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Health Department to aid public communication and understanding of how air pollution affects heath.

Ongoing Work on health communications will be co-delivered by both Built Environment and Public Health Units within The Council, working closely with CCG’s and the third sector.

2015




32 COMM 6 Continue to support and raise awareness about the AirTEXT air quality information service.

2013/14 We continue to support airText and promote its service via the web and other publications.

Ongoing

33 COMM 7

Undertake business engagement to raise awareness of air quality and encourage reduction in emissions associated to business transport and buildings.

2013/14 We have been working closely with a number of Westminster’s Business Improvement Districts to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of businesses, with the aim of lowering air quality impacts associated with transport, business services and buildings. We have been focusing our business engagement activities primarily in Paddington and Victoria. The response has been very positive, with over 50 large companies and landowners engaged with the process with several major companies committing to improving air quality and reducing emissions.

2014




34 COMM 8

Raise awareness of air quality within Westminster schools to increase understanding of issues, encourage more sustainable travel modes and minimise exposure.

2013/14 No. communication events/initiative undertaken.

We work closed with Westminster schools to encourage more sustainable travel modes and minimise exposure. Some of the initiatives/actions that have been completed are as follows: Cycle training, Walking trips, Curriculum lessons, Travel training, Participating in TfL’s Travel Party Scheme, Sponsored walks/runs, Promotion of school travel plans via school websites, parent evenings, reception desks and more, Car free days, Cleaner Air 4 Schools Project in 2012, The Big Pedal – Cycling competition held in March by Sustrans, Walk to School Week, SEN Travel training, Bus days run in partnership with TfL and Metropolitan Police, Safer Transport Team.

Green walls have been installed by the Council at two of Westminster’s primary schools.

Ongoing

air quality progress report 2013 - city of westminster

Documents