Cornwall Council has produced a county-wide action plan setting out how the authority will tackle poor air quality.

The Air Quality Action Plan gives details of how the Council will address the issue, in particular relating to excessive levels of traffic-related nitrogen dioxide gas.

While air quality in Cornwall is generally very good, there are hotspots in Bodmin, the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area and in Tideford where standards fail to meet national objectives.

Action plans were developed for the Bodmin and Camborne/Pool/Redruth areas after they were designated as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA). The new county-wide plan consolidates the existing action plans with a new plan for Tideford helping to identify the common causes of air pollution and solutions, as well as provide a local context for Cornwall-wide policies in a range of areas from planning to sustainable transport.

The plan also highlights measures which could contribute to a reduction in the levels of nitrogen dioxide gas from vehicles, such as junction improvements and traffic management schemes, as well as improving the cycling and walking environment to provide a safe alternative to road transport.

“The health of the population of Cornwall is of paramount importance to us and consequently the improvement of local air quality is a priority,” said Councillor Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for Public Health and Protection. “It is a key part of both the emerging Local Plan and health and wellbeing strategies which aim to reduce risks to health and advance the wellbeing of local residents.

“The Action Plan gives a range of interventions which will contribute towards tackling poor air quality and ensure that future activities, such as the regeneration of Camborne/Pool/Redruth and Bodmin contribute to continually improving the quality of the air in our county, and wellbeing and sustainability for our residents and visitors.”

For a copy of the Air Quality Action Plan contact Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 212, email communityandenvironmentalprotection@cornwall.gov.uk or visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/airquality.