Transport and Environment Committee ansport

10.00 am Friday 23 November 2012

Air Quality Progress Report 2012

Item number Report number Wards

7.14

City wide

Links
Coalition pledges Council outcomes Single Outcome Agreement 51 Maintain and enhancing the quality of life in Edinburgh Edinburghs citizens experience improved health and well being, with reduced inequalities in health Edinburghs communities are safer and have improved physical and social fabric

Mark Turley
Director of Services for Communities

Contact: Susan Mooney, Head of Service E-mail: susan.mooney@edinburgh.gov.uk | Tel: 0131 529 7587

Executive summary
Air Quality Progress Report 2012
Summary
This report updates the Transport and Environment Committee on the outcomes of monitoring and assessment of local air quality in Edinburgh during calendar year 2011, in fulfilment of the Councils obligations under the Environment Act 1995, the UK National Air Quality Strategy and Scottish Air Quality Regulations. The report is based on the draft Updating and Screening Assessment for City of Edinburgh Council 2012 Report (see Background Papers), which is prepared to fulfil the Councils statutory obligations under the UK and Scottish Governments Local Air Quality Management Frameworks. The Updating and Screening Assessment Report will be submitted to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for approval. The report describes actions and initiatives to improve air quality in the city. Further actions will be developed during review and revision of Air Quality Action Plans and will be reported to the Committee. The report seeks approval to progress the legal Orders required in respect of the additional / extended Air Quality Management Areas, reported to Committee on 29 November 2011, and to discharge Part 5 of former Councillor G Mackenzies motion: to note that the current Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) might be extended to include the locations indicated in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 of the report depending on the outcome of the monitoring programme; any proposed changes to current AQMAs to be reported separately to Committee. The report also seeks Committee approval, subject to Scottish Government approval of the draft Updating and Screening Assessment for the City of Edinburgh Council 2012 Report, to progress the legal Order required to establish a new Air Quality Management Area at Inverleith Row / Ferry Road junction, identified from monitoring and assessment in 2011. Monitoring in 2011 has demonstrated that further actions and initiatives to improve air quality are required in order to meet Air Quality Standards by 2015, the due date specified by EU legislation. A range of current and future actions are described in Appendix 1, which will improve air quality across the city and contribute to achieving Air Quality Standards by the due date.

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Recommendations
It is recommended that the Transport and Environment Committee: a) notes the positive trends in improving air quality in the city, but that further actions are required in order that Air Quality Standards are achieved by the due date of 2015; b) notes and endorses the actions and initiatives being undertaken to improve air quality in Appendix 1; c) notes that based on monitoring in 2010 and 2011, the current Air Quality Management Areas must be extended by legal Order to include the locations indicated in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3; d) notes that the city-wide Air Quality Action Plan should be reviewed and updated, and that local Air Quality Action Plans should be developed to improve air quality in the Air Quality Management Areas outwith the City Centre. e) agrees to recommend to Planning Committee that the current Interim Planning Guidance on biomass installations be continued until the Detailed Assessment of PM10 is completed and reported; f) agrees to receive a report on the options around low emission zones (LEZ) in the city.

Measures of success
Improvement of air quality in the city, particularly in those areas designated as Air Quality Management Areas; Air quality in the city meets EU and Scottish Government Standards by 2015

Financial impact
There are no direct financial implication related to this report, although development and consultation on the revised city-wide Air Quality Action Plan will incur some costs. These costs will be assessed during review of the Action Plan. Scottish Government grant funding may be available to assist the Council with initiatives and measures adopted in Air Quality Action Plans.

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Equalities impact
This report proposes no change to current policies or procedures and as such a full impact assessment is not required. The contents have no relevance to the public sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010.

Sustainability impact
This report does not in itself produce any direct environmental impact. The background Updating and Screening Assessment 2012 for City of Edinburgh Council Report provides an evaluation and assessment of air quality monitoring data gathered by the Council in Edinburgh in 2011.

Consultation and engagement

Consultation with Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency following submission of the draft Updating and Screening Assessment 2012 for City of Edinburgh Council Report; Consultation with a range of stakeholders will take place during development of revised Air Quality Action Plans; Consultation with stakeholders will take place on development of Low Emission Zones.

Background reading / external references

Appendix 1 - Initiatives and actions to improve air quality November 2012 Appendix 2 - Revised AQMAs Updating and Screening Assessment for the City of Edinburgh Council 2012 (in draft) Item 9 - Air Quality Progress Report 2011 (Reports, PDF, 1.03 MB)

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Report
Air Quality 2012
1.
1.1

Background
Under the terms of the Environment Act 1995, the UK and Scottish Governments Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Frameworks require local authorities to undertake a three year cyclical review and assessment of air quality within their area. The first year of the cycle is an Updating and Screening Assessment to review air quality and possible new pollutant sources in their area; in years 2 and 3 of the cycle, Annual Progress reports are required, which assess the newly identified pollutant sources, as well as existing pollutant sources. After 3 years, the cycle is repeated. Where monitoring data in any year reveals exceedence of an Air Quality Standard for a particular pollutant, the next stage in the assessment process is initiated. This is a Detailed Assessment, which entails additional monitoring at the same location to ensure that the previous years data is not anomalous. Where the Detailed Assessment verifies the earlier findings, the local authority is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan setting out how it proposes to reduce pollutant levels to within acceptable limits. Updating and Screening Assessment and Annual Progress Reports are submitted as drafts for review and approval by Scottish Government/Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the SEPA. The approvals process normally takes 2-3 months and any recommendations arising from the review are acted upon accordingly.

1.2

The Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to work with Central Government towards achieving Air Quality Standards by 2015. The Air Quality Standards of particular relevance to Edinburgh are stated below: Nitrogen dioxide Annual mean concentration: 40 g/m3 Max. hourly concentration: 200 g/m3 Max. no. of exceedences of hourly mean: 18 per year Annual mean concentration: Scottish Government annual objective: 24-hour mean Max. no. of exceedences of 24h-mean: 40 g/m3 18 g/m3 50 g/m3 7 per year

Particles PM10

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1.3

The Councils Corporate Air Quality Working Group, comprising staff from Scientific and Environmental Services, Transport, Planning and Corporate Governance is responsible for review of the outcomes of the air monitoring programme, assessment of key factors which may influence air quality, such as local transport and planning strategies, and development of Air Quality Action Plans. This Committee report is based primarily on the Updating and Screening Assessment for City of Edinburgh Council 2012 Report, the Air Quality Progress Report for City of Edinburgh Council 2011 (see Background Papers) and the Action Plan Progress Report 2012 (in preparation).

1.4

2.
2.1

Main report
Air quality is monitored for a range of pollutants by automatic air quality monitoring stations operating at specific locations across the city. In addition, nitrogen dioxide is monitored city-wide using Passive Diffusion Tube (PDT) samplers. Air quality monitoring stations measure air pollutants in real time and are expressed as concentrations averaged over a one hour period. PDT samplers are exposed for 1 month and are then subject to laboratory analysis. Due to the empirical and variable nature of monitoring using PDT samplers, the monthly concentration data is subject to verification and bias correction at year end and the procedure is suitable only for determining annual mean concentrations. The air pollutants of particular relevance for the city are nitrogen dioxide and Fine Particles PM10.
Monitoring Data (2011): Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

2.2

Air quality must meet two standards for nitrogen dioxide: a maximum annual mean concentration; and a maximum hourly concentration, which must not be exceeded on more than 18 times in a year (see 1.2). Monitoring to determine annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentration is carried out at approximately 120 locations across the city, using a combination of automatic real-time monitoring stations and PDT samplers. Monitoring of hourly concentration is carried out using automatic real-time monitoring stations. The monitors are strategically sited to take account of road traffic volumes and movements, other influencing factors such as buildings and structures, and potential interference from other sources. Data from monitoring in 2011 is reported in the draft Updating and Screening Assessment for City of Edinburgh Council 2012 Report.

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2.3

Three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are currently in place in Edinburgh: City Centre; St Johns Road, Corstorphine; and Great Junction Street, Leith. All are due primarily to elevated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide associated with exhaust emissions from road traffic. Nitrogen dioxide is monitored at a number of locations within each AQMA and annual mean concentrations vary between the individual monitoring locations. The highest annual mean concentrations measured in each of the three AQMAs are presented in Table 1 for the years 2008 to 2011.

AQMA

Annual mean concentration of nitrogen dioxide (g/m3) 2008 76 75 50 2009 67 70 44 2010 62 71 44 2011 57 65 41

City Centre St Johns Road Great Junction Street

Annual mean objective = 40 g/m3

Table 1: Highest annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the three Air Quality Management Areas, 2008 - 2011 2.4 Table 1 shows that the highest annual mean values have continued to reduce over the period 2008 to 2011. However, monitoring during 2011 at locations within the AQMAs has shown that nitrogen dioxide concentrations continue to exceed the Air Quality Standard and the AQMAs remain valid. Further action is required to improve air quality to meet the required Air Quality Standard by the target date of 2015. Monitoring during 2011 of nitrogen dioxide to determine hourly mean concentrations continues to show breaches of the value in the St Johns Road AQMA. Breaches of the hourly mean value have not been identified in the City Centre and Great Junction Street AQMAs. Monitoring at St Johns Road in 2011 has shown that the downward trend in the number of exceedences of the hourly mean value observed from 2008 to 2010 continued in 2011 (see Table 2). Breaches of the hourly mean value are indicative of more serious air quality issues, as they may have greater implications for health, so continuation of the downward trend observed during 2011 is welcome. The downward trend may be attributable to improvements in emissions from the bus fleet operating in the St Johns Road corridor during the observation period. Analysis of local traffic volumes and categories is continuing in order to establish the reason(s) for the improvements in air quality. As traffic flows may be influenced by tram construction works in the west of the city, assessment is likely
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2.5

to continue until the tram system is in operation and traffic patterns have settled down. Monitoring Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 Recorded breaches of the NO2 hourly mean (200g/m3) 166 114 60 52 Number of breaches exceeding permitted maxima 148 96 42 34

Permitted number of breaches of the 1-hour mean (200g/m3) = 18

Table 2: Number of breaches of the Hourly Mean Air Quality Standard for nitrogen dioxide recorded in the St Johns Road AQMA, 2008 - 2011. 2.6 Monitoring during 2010 and 2011 at a number of locations outwith the existing AQMAs continued to show exceedences of the annual nitrogen dioxide Air Quality Standard. Consequently, the Council is required to extend the existing City Centre and Great Junction Street (Leith) AQMAs, and to declare an additional AQMA at Glasgow Road (Newbridge). The additional AQMAs are shown in Table 3 and fully outlined in Section 2.15. City Centre (existing AQMA) London Road (to Jocks Lodge) Easter Road (to Albion Road) Grassmarket and Cowgate Gorgie Road (to Chesser Avenue) Table 3: Required extensions to existing AQMAs and establishment of new AQMA due to exceedence of the Annual Air Quality Standard for nitrogen dioxide 2.7 Monitoring during 2011 has identified further exceedences of the annual mean Air Quality Standard at locations outwith existing AQMAs: Inverleith Row Portobello Road Queensferry Road Angle Park Terrace Great Junction Street Glasgow Road (existing AQMA) (new AQMA) Glasgow Road (A9) Bernard Street/ Commercial Street and (Newbridge junction to Ratho Portland Place Station)

Exceedences of the Annual Air Quality Standard for nitrogen dioxide identified during monitoring in 2011.

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Monitoring in previous years has indicated a potential exceedence of the annual mean standard at Inverleith Row. Detailed Assessment work carried out during 2011 has established that an AQMA is required at the junction between Inverleith Row and Ferry Road. This is reported in the Updating & Screening Assessment 2012 Report. If the draft Report is approved by Scottish Government, the Council will be required to declare by legal Order an AQMA at this location. The exceedences identified from monitoring at the other three locations specified in Table 4 mean that further assessment of air quality is required, in order to decide the appropriate actions to be taken at these locations. This Detailed Assessment work is being carried out during 2012 and will be reported to Committee at a future date.
West End Nitrogen Dioxide Study

2.8

In response to ongoing concerns of local residents about potential impacts on air quality arising from altered traffic movements in the West End, monitoring continued throughout 2011 at the additional nitrogen dioxide PDT sites established in Great Stuart Street and St.Colme Street. This monitoring indicated that levels of nitrogen dioxide at these locations remained within Air Quality Standards in 2011. Monitoring is continuing and current-year data (2012) will be reported to Committee in 2013.
Monitoring Data (2011): Fine Particles (PM10)

2.9

Air quality must meet two standards for Fine Particles PM10: a maximum annual mean concentration; and a maximum daily concentration, which must not be exceeded on more than 7 occasions in a year (see 1.2). The maximum annual mean concentration permitted in Scotland is lower than the value applied in the rest of the UK and Europe. Monitoring for PM10 is carried out at 6 automatic air quality monitoring stations sited strategically across the city. Data from monitoring in 2011 is reported in the Updating and Screening Assessment for City of Edinburgh 2012 Report. Annual mean concentrations for PM10 are presented in Table 5. During the period 2008 to 2011, some of the monitoring stations were re-located, either because an existing location was no longer relevant or because it was no longer possible to site the station at the location; this accounts for the absence of data at some places in the Table 4. Location Within AQMA For NO2 Y Annual mean PM10 concentrations (g/m3) and number of daily breaches (in brackets) 2008 Queen Street 19 (0) 16 (0) 2009 18 (1) 15 (0) 2010 18 (1) 15 (0) 2011 16 (0) 15* (0)*
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Roseburn

Transport and Environment - 23 November 2012

Haymarket

20 (2) -

Salamander Street Queensferry Road St Leonards

22* (2)* -

26 (19) -

26 (22) 21 (2) 15 (0) 13 (0)

15

17 (2) -

14 (1) 11 (0)

Currie

Scottish annual mean objective = 18g/m3 Permitted number of daily breaches = 7 * Based on monitoring data collected for less than one year

Table 4: Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring 2011: Annual Mean Concentrations and Exceedences of Daily Mean Objectives 2.10 Monitoring data demonstrates that the UK/EU Standard for PM10 (40 g/m3) is not being exceeded and PM10 levels across the city are well below this Standard. Scottish Government specifies a more stringent Air Quality Standard for PM10 to be achieved in Scotland (18 g/m3). Modelling using local monitoring data suggests that the majority of heavily-trafficked routes within the City Centre area may exceed the Scottish Governments annual objective for PM10. Therefore, the Council must continue working towards containing and reducing levels of PM10, wherever practicable. 2.11 Monitoring data from the air quality monitoring station at Salamander Street continues to indicate exceedence of the Scottish Governments objective. Possible sources of PM10 at this location include industrial and commercial activity in the Leith Docks area. Detailed sampling and analysis is currently being progressed by the Council in partnership with SEPA to investigate potential local sources. The study outcomes will inform future assessment. Technical issues experienced nationally with the Defra-approved monitoring instrumentation for PM10 and the requirement for further assessment at Salamander Street has caused an unavoidable delay in completing the city-wide Detailed Assessment for PM10. The technical issues with the equipment have now been resolved and it is anticipated that outcomes of the Detailed Assessment will be reported in summer 2013.

2.12

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2.13

The delay in completing the Detailed Assessment for PM10 has implications for the Councils Interim Planning Guidance (IPG) Use of Biomass up to 50MW (e) in Edinburgh. Biomass combustion is a source of PM10 and nitrogen dioxide and the current Biomass IPG provides the Council with a means of managing the number of biomass installations in the city. The Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee at its meeting in November 2011 agreed to recommend to Planning Committee that the IPG should continue pending the outcome of the detailed assessment for PM10. The IPG is currently under review to take account of UK Governments Renewable Heat Incentive. Consultations with key stakeholders are in progress to ensure that the Council maintains an appropriate position regarding biomass combustion installations in the city.
Air Quality Management Areas and Action Plans

2.14

Section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 requires the Council to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) where it is established that Air Quality Standards are not being achieved, or are unlikely to be achieved within appropriate timescales. Three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are currently declared in Edinburgh: City Centre; St Johns Road, Corstorphine; and Great Junction Street, Leith. The AQMAs are due primarily to emissions of nitrogen dioxide from road traffic. Monitoring carried out during 2010, reported to Committee on 29 November 2011 identified a requirement to extend the City Centre and Great Junction Street AQMAs and to declare an additional AQMA at the western portion of Glasgow Road (A9) at Newbridge. Monitoring carried out during 2011 identified a requirement to declare an additional AQMA at the junction of Inverleith Row and Ferry Road, subject to Scottish Government approval of the Updating and Screening Assessment Report. The Council is required to progress the following actions through the legal Order process: Central AQMA: extend boundary to include: London Road to Willowbrae Road; Easter Road to Albion Place; Grassmarket and Cowgate; Gorgie Road to Chesser Avenue.

2.15

Great Junction Street AQMA: extend boundary to include Bernard Street. Glasgow Road at Newbridge: declare new AQMA. Inverleith Row/Ferry Road junction: declare new AQMA.

Maps showing the revised AQMAs are provided at Appendix 2. 2.16 Following declaration of an AQMA, the Council is required to develop an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to improve air quality within the AQMA. The Council published an AQAP in 2003 following declaration of the City Centre AQMA. The Action Plan was reviewed and was revised in 2008. These Action Plans adopted a city-wide perspective, taking account of factors such as Council transport strategies, improvements in engine emissions and developments in
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Transport and Environment - 23 November 2012

bus fleets. The current AQAP is being reviewed and a revised draft will be ready for consultation during 2013. The AQMAs currently declared and proposed, excluding the City Centre AQMA, may be influenced by local traffic management arrangements. Therefore, it is intended to develop specific Action Plans to address these local areas. It is anticipated that these will be available for consultation in early 2013. 2.17 Monitoring in 2011 has demonstrated that further actions and initiatives to improve air quality are required in order to meet Air Quality Standards by 2015, the due date specified by EU legislation. A range of current and future actions are described in Appendix 1, which will improve air quality across the city and contribute to achieving Air Quality Standards by the due date. The Capital Coalition Pledges include the investigation of the possible introduction of low emission zones (LEZ). In addition Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee in November 2011 requested consultation as soon as practicable after the publication of forthcoming guidance by Defra/Scottish Government on the potential introduction of a mandatory low emission zone in Edinburgh as a means of improving air quality. The Guidance is not now expected until 2013. It is therefore proposed following the publication of this guidance a report be brought to Committee outlining possible models and implications of a LEZ and a proposed consultation strategy.

2.18

3.
3.1

Conclusions
Monitoring in 2011 has shown a number of positive trends in improving air quality in the city. However, monitoring data has shown that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide are not likely to meet Air Quality Standards by 2015. In consequence, continued action by the Council is necessary to achieve the required Standards. It is necessary for the Council to extend the existing City Centre AQMA to account for nitrogen dioxide exceedences at Easter Road, London Road and Grassmarket/Cowgate and the existing Great Junction Street AQMA at Bernard Street. This will be progressed by legal Order. Detailed Assessments at Glasgow Road at its western end towards Newbridge and at the Inverleith Row/Ferry Road junction indicate localised nitrogen dioxide exceedences, consequently additional AQMAs are required for these locations. The Council must progress these requirements by legal Order. Monitoring data for Particles PM10 has shown that levels are lower than the UK/EU Air Quality Standard, but at some locations are close to or exceed the more stringent Scottish Government Air Quality Standard. A Detailed Assessment is in progress, which will assist in consideration of the actions required to reduce levels of this air quality parameter.

3.2

. 3.3

3.4

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4.
4.1

Recommendations
It is recommended that the Transport and Environment Committee: a) notes the positive trends in improving air quality in the city, but that further actions are required in order that Air Quality Standards are achieved by the due date of 2015; b) notes and endorses the actions and initiatives being undertaken to improve air quality in Appendix 1; c) notes that based on monitoring in 2010 and 2011, the current Air Quality Management Areas must be extended by legal Order to include the locations indicated in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3; d) notes that the city-wide Air Quality Action Plan should be reviewed and updated, and that local Air Quality Action Plans should be developed to improve air quality in the Air Quality Management Areas outwith the City Centre. e) agrees to recommend to Planning Committee that the current Interim Planning Guidance on biomass installations be continued until the Detailed Assessment of PM10 is completed and reported; f) agrees to receive a report on the options around low emission zones (LEZ) in the city.

Mark Turley
Director of Services for Communities

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Appendix 1

Initiatives and Actions to Improve Air Quality

November 2012

14

1 1.1

Developments in Bus Operators Fleets In 2009, bus companies operating services in the city were invited to enter into Voluntary Emissions Reduction Partnerships (VERP) with the Council. The aims of the Partnerships were to eliminate vehicles below Euro 4 from Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) by October 2012 and achieve 100% Euro 5 standard buses by October 2015. However, the two main bus companies operating in the city, Lothian Buses and First Scotland (East) considered the proposal too onerous in the absence of substantial financial support, consequently no formal agreement was been reached. The majority of public bus services pass through the Central AQMA. Lothian Buses, the largest bus operator in the city, has endeavoured to reduce impacts on air quality by improving emissions from their overall fleet and utilising the cleanest vehicles on those services which have the highest frequency. More than half of the operational fleet is Euro 4 standard or better. Significant improvements have been made since 2006 with funding support from Scottish Government, part-facilitated by the Council. The improvements are shown in Table 1. Lothian Bus 2006 63 (10%) 33 ( 5% ) 202 (33%) 317 (52%) 0 0 0 615 (100%) Lothian Bus 2011 0 0 7 (1%) 257 (43%) 79 (13%) 141 (23%) 117 (20%) 601 (100%) Lothian Bus 2012 0 0 12 (2%) 254 (42%) 81 (13%) 141 (23%) 117 (19%) 605

1.2

Euro Standard Pre Euro Euro 1 Euro 2 Euro 3 Euro 4 Euro 5 Euro 5/6 Total

Table 1: Year-on Improvements in Emissions Standards for Lothian Buses fleet 1.3 Lothian Buses completed a programme in September 2011 to upgrade 34 mid-life single-deck buses from Euro 3 emissions standard to beyond the current Euro 5 standard by installation of exhaust retrofit technology. In 2011, Lothian Buses installed a 4-minute engine-idling cut-out system across the whole of its operational fleet. 1.4 Lothian Buses continue to operate Euro 5 vehicles on the highfrequency Airlink 100 and the 26 Services, which pass through the City Centre and St Johns Road AQMAs. The 22 Service is also high frequency, and vehicles are either Euro 4 or Euro 5 standard. The 22 route passes through both the City Centre and Great Junction Street AQMAs.

15

1.5

Lothian Buses, with Scottish Government support funding, acquired 15 hybrid diesel-electric double-deck buses. These vehicles were introduced in September 2011, and are currently being operated on the No.10 Service, a high-frequency service that traverses the City Centre AQMA. The City Tour fleet operated by Lothian Buses are, with one exception, all Euro 2 buses. This issue is currently being reviewed with Lothian Buses and mechanisms of securing additional funding are being explored. The composition of the fleet is shown in Table 2.
Bus Standard Pre Euro Euro 1 Euro 2 Euro 3 Euro 4 Euro 5 Total Lothian bus City Tour Fleet Sept 2010 9 0 37 0 0 0 46 Lothian Bus City Tour Fleet May 2011 0 0 45 0 0 1 46 Lothian Bus City Tour Fleet August 2012 0 0 38 1 0 1 40

1.6

Table 2: Euro Standard of City Tour Bus Fleet (Lothian Buses) 20102012)

1.7

Lothian Buses are currently operating five Euro 3 and two Euro 2 standard buses from their reserve fleet under their East Lothian Buses brand on routes into the city from East Lothian. These routes were formerly operated by First Scotland (East). Lothian Buses has indicated that these older vehicles are being used on a temporary basis and it is anticipated that they will be replaced in 2013, when additional new vehicles are obtained for fleet. First Scotland (East) is the second main operator of public bus services in the city. The Company has provided figures on the emissions standards of their current fleet and projected fleet in 2015, shown in Table 3. However, the company is undergoing a restructuring and a number of services have been withdrawn. A detailed breakdown of vehicle types operating in Edinburgh is required in order to calculate the impacts on local air quality of First Scotland (East) operations. Discussions are continuing with First Scotland (East) to explore the opportunities for improving the emissions standards of their fleet operating in the city.

1.8

16

Euro Standard 2011 (Current) 2015 (Projected) Euro Euro Euro Euro Euro I 2 3 4 5 7% 45% 35% 10% 3% 0 5% 35% 35% 25%

Table 3: First bus fleet operating in Edinburgh 1.9 Stagecoach operates approximately 39 buses into Edinburgh. The current fleet profile is shown in Table 4, which shows that 84% of the fleet is Euro 4 standard or better. Scottish Citylink fleet comprises 72 buses operating throughout Scotland. The breakdown of the fleet is shown in Table 4, which shows that 95% of the fleet is Euro 4 standard or better.
Euro Standard Euro 1 Euro 2 Euro 3 Euro 4 Euro 5 Total Stagecoach 2012 0 2 (5%) 4 (10%) 27 (69%) 6 (15%) 39 Scottish Citylink 2012 0 0 4 (6%) 1 (1%) 67 (93%) 72

Table 4: Euro Standards of Stagecoach and Scottish Citylink fleets operating in Edinburgh 2 2.1 Council Fleet All Pre - Euro 1, Euro 1 and Euro 2 vehicles have now been eleminated from the Councils fleet and Euro 3 forms a very small percentage of the fleet. The Council has been successful in obtaining Scottish Government Funding via the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Support Scheme and 1% of the vehicle fleet are now electric. Table 5 shows the improvement and current breakdown of the Council fleet.
2003
Number of Vehicles

Euro Standard

2011 %
Number of Vehicles

2012 %
Number of Vehicles

Pre Euro 12 1 0 0 0 0 Euro 1 96 12 0 0 0 0 Euro 2 374 45 0 0 0 0 Euro 3 338 41 78 8.3 45 4.6 Euro 4 12 1 627 67.1 561 58.2 Euro 5 0 0 227 24.2 348 36.1 Electric 0 0 3 0.4 10 1.0 100 Total 832 935 100 964 100 Table 5: City of Edinburgh Council Fleet (Including hire vehicles) by year

17

2.2

The Council submitted a successful bid to the Scottish Government in a joint venture with NHS Lothian, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and Police to obtain funding from the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Support Scheme. The Scheme provides funding for the difference in costs between low carbon vehicles and their conventional equivalents. In 2010-11 under the Scheme, the Council obtained 3 vehicles (2 x Nissan Leaf, 1 x Mitsubishi) and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service obtained 2 x Ashwood diesel electric hybrid vans. Four charging points were installed. In 2011-12 under the Scheme, the Council obtained 7x Kangoo electric vans, Lothian and Borders Police obtained 2 vehicles (1x Ampera, 1x Connect) and NHS Lothian obtained 2x Citroen C Zeros. Ten charging points were installed.

2.3

A Scottish Government grant was awarded to the Council in 2011 to facilitate a trial of enhanced telematics technology in a number of its vehicles. The trial aims to reduce fuel consumption through more efficient driving and better route planning/improved utilisation of vehicles. Fifteen vehicles from the Council fleet which operate within the AQMAs of the city have been selected for this trial. The system has run for three months with little intervention to provide a base case. Eco driving instruction has been provided for the vehicle drivers and post Eco Driving data is now being gathered. All the data will be recorded from the vehicle as it moves, giving live feedback to a web based system. The Council will receive weekly reports on drivers/teams performance. The Trial will finish in March 2013 and a report will be submitted to the Scottish Government following completion of the study. It is expected that the trial outcome will demonstrate the benefits of fitting telematics software to Council vehicles, delivering fuel efficiencies and consequential reductions in exhaust emissions of air pollutants and carbon dioxide.

3 3.1

ECOSTARS Freight Recognition Scheme The Council has joined an EU-funded project, ECOSTARS Europe, which aims to achieve reductions in emissions from road freight vehicles. This is a voluntary, free-to-join freight recognition scheme which provides guidance on environmental best practice to operators of goods vehicles, buses and coaches whose fleets regularly serve the Edinburgh area. The project is an extension of a similar scheme, which has been trialled successfully by a consortium of South Yorkshire local authorities in partnership with TTR.

18

3.2

ECOSTARS Europe was formally launched in Edinburgh in June 2011 and will run for 3 years. The project will assist in reducing emissions from road freight vehicles that serve Edinburgh, by introducing an audited self-certification scheme for operators, based on driver training, age and Euro emissions standards of vehicles, type of fuel used and delivery scheduling/routing techniques applied. The ECOSTARS Europe scheme can be extended to other commercial road vehicle sectors e.g. public service buses, coaches, taxis, LGVs. Ambitious targets have been agreed for each member organisation. The targets for the number of freight vehicles operating in Edinburgh becoming scheme members are: Year 1: Year 2: 3000 vehicles 4000 vehicles

3.3

To date 18 operators have joined ECOSTARS Edinburgh and a total of 1805 vehicles have been registered. The majority of member operators are from the freight haulage sector, but there are plans to try to recruit more passenger transport fleets to the scheme. 4 4.1 Park and Ride Sites The city is served by a series of park and ride sites situated at locations around its periphery (see below). Substituting car trips by bus travel from the park and ride sites, together with associated bus priority measures on arterial routes, will have a positive influence on air quality, by reducing the number of vehicles entering the citys urban area, where AQMAs are located. Park and Ride Site Wallyford (East Lothian) Hermiston Sheriffhall (Midlothian) Newcraighall Straiton Ingliston Ferrytoll (Fife) Total Number of Spaces 334 470 561 565 600 1085 1040 4642

Table 6: Park and Ride Sites Serving Edinburgh 4.2 The Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee in September 2009 gave authority to proceed to detailed design and initiation of statutory procedures for further capacity at: Hermiston: expansion of Park and Ride site (400 spaces) Lasswade Road (600 spaces) 19

4.3

Data on usage rates for bus-based Park & Ride sites in Edinburgh is collected by automated counting equipment and verified by twice-daily manual counts. Hermiston has the highest utilisation levels, which at times reaches 100% of existing spaces. Plans to double the capacity of the site are at an advanced stage, with final design complete. Finance to acquire the necessary additional land is also in place. Ingliston currently has utilisation of around 56%, but this is after expansion and there is evidence of recent growth to fill the additional capacity. Midlothian Council report that the proposed expansion at Sheriffhall has not progressed. Current average peak occupancy rates vary between 60 and 75% but near-capacity occupancy is observed during the Edinburgh Festival and Christmas periods. The vast majority of users are Edinburgh-bound. Straiton and Newcraighall (operated by Network Rail) currently have lower utilisation levels, but offer the opportunity of spare capacity to meet future demand. Ferrtytoll (operated by Fife Council) has shown steady increases in patronage since it was established in 2007 (expanded 2010). Usage data from 2011 shows that the site is approaching capacity during periods of peak demand. The Scottish Government has identified a priority need for the creation of a new Park & Ride facility at Hillend, on the city boundary with Midlothian. This project, to be advanced by Midlothian Council, will remove car journeys into Edinburgh when delivered.

5 5.1

Parking The overall objective for the Councils parking strategy is to manage parking to support wider economic, environmental and social policies, whilst recognising the competing demands for space. Objectives are to improved road safety, reduced congestion and pollution, to facilitate and include the operation and expansion of Car Clubs. There is evidence to suggest that where households are members of Car Clubs, there is lower level of car ownership and higher use of alternative modes of travel. In November 2010, the Council introduced Park Green, a tiered system of resident permit charges linked to the emissions of a residents vehicle (or engine size for vehicles registered pre-March 2001). It is anticipated that this scheme will encourage residents to operate more environmentally friendly vehicles, with associated benefits to air quality.

5.2

20

5.3

The boundary of the city centre Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was extended in 2006-2007. By allocating a proportion of on-road parking to residents, CPZs discourage car commuting into the city centre and neighbouring areas. An alternative form of CPZ, a Priority Parking Zone (PPZ) is being trialled in the south central area of the city. This is expected to have a positive influence on the number of commuters travelling in by car as operational times of PPZs will be set during peak travel periods. This trial will be reviewed after a year when outcomes will be assessed and reported. Introduction of new CPZs or PPZs and extensions will be kept under review. Electric Charging Facilities The Council has recently reviewed its Planning Policy on Parking Standards. The Policy now states that developers should consider provision for electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of all types of development. Currently, this is being progressed by the inclusion of an informative on planning consents, rather than use of Section 75 legal agreements or the application of planning conditions. It may be necessary to review this position if increased vehicle charging provision in Edinburgh is to be realised. The UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has provided funding for a second wave of its Plugged in Places programme, which part funds electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The programme is intended to encourage the use of low emission vehicles by reducing range concerns of potential users. The programme for 2011-2012 will provide funds for charging points in public sector car parks through all 32 of Scotlands Community Planning Partnerships. The Central Scotland Plugged in Places Project consortium, led by Transport Scotland, submitted a successful bid to the programme and it is anticipated that funding for on-street charging points will be made available directly to the consortium members in 2012-13. It is anticipated that funding will be available to provide up to 50 charging points in Edinburgh. This is in addition to the 10 charging points funded in 2010-11. Traffic Management Systems Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique (SCOOT) systems are automatically responsive to traffic flow and demand, and ease congestion and pollution levels by providing effective control over traffic signals. This system is in place on a number of road networks in the city and once operational will benefit air quality from improving traffic flows. Work is in progress to activate the systems at the locations shown in Table 7.

6 6.1

6.2

6.3

7 7.1

21

SCOOT Status Fully operational (loops all functional)

Location Causewayside, Dalkeith Road Gorgie Road junction Chesser Avenue /Balgreen Road North & South Bridges, St John's Road Lothian Road, London Road, Slateford/Shandon, Ardmillan, Queensferry Road, New Town, Ferry Road Roseburn, Slateford near Union Canal, Bristo Triangle Queen Street, Princes Street, Haymarket, Leith Walk, Leith, St Andrew Square

In AQMA N Y Y Y Y

Running in part; loops functional, but revalidation required Loops needing to be repaired, validation not required

Loops and validation needed Unlikely to be reinstalled, due to tram receiving priority

Y Y

Table 7: Current status of SCOOT Systems within Edinburgh

7.2

The Council has secured Scottish Government grant funding to support deployment of a real-time remote sensors system (MOTEs) to monitor nitrogen dioxide levels in St Johns Road. The system provides qualitative real-time data, and can be linked to the SCOOT system. This will enable traffic signalling to be controlled with respect to local concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. The trial will commence in January 2013. Installation of SCOOT systems at High St and Mound, Telford Rd, Queensferry Street, Morningside, St Mary's Street, Stockbridge and Polwarth would also assist traffic flows into and within the city centre, benefiting air quality. Promotion of Walking and Cycling To support sustainable, zero emission forms of active travel the Council is implementing an Active Travel Action Plan, aimed to deliver significant increases in the numbers of pedestrians and cyclists travelling within Edinburgh. The Plan sets targets of 35% for walking and 10% for cycling for all trips by 2020. A core element of the Plan is the development of a Family Network of cycle routes that will enable people to travel around the city on safe routes away from the busier traffic routes. On-road cycle routes will remain important and reductions in vehicle emissions arising from the support of Active Travel will be beneficial to air quality. The Council is a member of a consortium that has been successful in obtaining funding from Intelligent Energy Europe for project "MERCX" (Managing Energy Reduction through Cycling eXcellence). The project 22

7.3

8 8.1

8.2

8.3

will promote cycling through marketing and promotional activities, development and distribution of publicity materials, planning and delivery of workplace initiatives. These are likely to include travel planning, possibly mobile bike mechanics, cycle training for employees etc. The project will also assist with initiatives to promote use of the Quality Bike Corridor and other similar initiatives. The project commenced in October 2011 and will end September 2014. 9 9.1 Edinburgh Tram Project The Edinburgh Tram Project will introduce trams running from the airport to the city centre, commencing in 2014. Operation of the trams will provide a positive impact on air quality in the west of the city and city centre, as emissions at point of use are zero. Review of traffic management and bus routing will be necessary to avoid creating local air quality issues, particularly in the city centre. Local Transport Strategy Local authorities are advised in DEFRA Technical Guidance document LAQM TG (09) to refer to measures, which are outlined in the Local Transport Strategy (LTS) specifically relating to producing improvements in air quality. The Councils current LTS covers the period 2007-2012. The LTS contains a framework and policy measures that mirror those in the current Air Quality Action Plan, and are intended to assist in achieving the objectives of the Action Plan. It is anticipated that collectively they will assist in delivering air quality improvements. The current Local Transport Strategy is under review. It is anticipated that the next LTS will focus on key outcomes, including a greater emphasis on air quality and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Planning Guidance on Biomass Installations The Councils Planning Committee introduced Interim Planning Guidance (IPG) in November 2009 to manage the introduction of unabated biomass combustion through new development proposals. The IPG Use of Biomass of 50 MW (e) or less in Edinburgh highlights increasing concerns about the potential cumulative adverse impacts on local air quality and health from unabated emissions of fine particles PM10 / PM 2.5 from biomass installations. The IPG provides the Council with policy support to manage and control the introduction of biomass combustion in development proposals. In the absence of this policy, the uncontrolled installation of biomass combustion systems could result in significant increases in PM10 emissions and increased difficulty in meeting Air Quality Standards. It is intended to review the Policy following report of the city-wide study of fine particles emissions in 2013.

10 10.1

10.2

10.3

11 11.1

23

12 12.1

Smoke Control Areas Although Smoke Control Orders cover the entire Edinburgh city area; it has become apparent that more residents are burning coal and wood in open fires. The Council has adopted a pro-active approach to address this issue and each year at the end of the summer a campaign is run to draw attention to the air quality impacts and legal requirements under the Clean Air Act. Transport 2030 Vision The Councils Transport 2030 Vision provides an overarching approach for the development of transport in Edinburgh over the next 20 years. The Transport 2030 Vision will complement and inform the regularly updated LTS. The Vision has a number of measures which will contribute to improving air quality: Low emission zones, if other measures do not achieve the necessary progress towards improved air quality. Working with operators towards an emission-free public transport fleet by supporting initiatives for electric and hybrid vehicles. Air quality improvements in partnerships with the public transport and freight industries Active traffic management to mitigate pollution hot spots. Working through planning and economic development initiatives to foster low impact developments that reduces the need to travel by private car. Engaging with Scottish Government and other partners to encourage a shift to low carbon transport, including supporting use of electric vehicles. Parking permit charges based on vehicle emissions Green procurement when purchasing new Council fleet vehicles Promotion of ecological driving and slower speeds Creating walkable and cyclable neighbourhoods through 20mph speed limits. Promote smarter travel through support for behaviour change programmes, including travel plans Targeting the school run, school travel plans and safe routes to school Improved cross- Forth services to Fife Expansion of Park and Rides Supporting growth of City Car Club

13 13.1

14 14.1

Road Freight Plans Quality Freight Corridor

24

A Quality Freight Corridor is a designated key route where the efficient movement of goods vehicles will be facilitated in partnership with road freight operators. A Quality Freight Corridor may also reduce the environmental and road safety impacts of their operations. Stakeholder consultations on the concept of Quality Freight Corridors in the Edinburgh area will concentrate on the principle of the concept, whether single or multiple corridors are preferable and the type of measure that could form part of a Quality Freight Corridor. 14.3 Freight Consolidation Centre A Freight Consolidation Centre is a facility set up on the edge of an urban area, where incoming goods vehicles unload part loads. These part loads are consolidated to make a full load on another vehicle specifically used for urban deliveries. By combining loads, the number of vehicle movements can be reduced and low emission vehicles deployed within the urban area. 14.4 A report by Halcrow Group suggested that these facilities are beneficial for air quality and reducing congestion, but require revenue to operate. It is estimated that annual income will only cover around 40% to 50% of operators costs; therefore, some form of public subsidy is likely to be required. Automated Loading and Unloading Systems In urban areas, road freight operators seeking to make deliveries/collections can encounter difficulties due to increasing demand for kerb space. This could be resolved using technological interventions to allow the efficient management of loading and unloading bays through advance bookings. By assisting goods vehicles to move directly to an allocated on-street loading bay, without having to circulate in traffic until space becomes available, it is anticipated that there could be reductions in emissions and congestion. However, operators in the Edinburgh area appear to have little interest in this approach, and it is likely to incur set up costs of around 60k. 15 15.1 Low Emission Zones A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is a defined area in which only vehicles of a specified emission standard can enter freely. This can be further limited to specified types of vehicles. Vehicles that do not meet that standard are either excluded or are required to pay a financial penalty if they enter the zone. A LEZ is usually introduced as part of a wider low emission strategy, which will include other measures, such as green travel plans, park and ride schemes, cycling and walking strategies etc. A previous study commissioned by the Council concluded that the most effective method in terms of emission reductions would be to introduce a mandatory Low Emission Zone for the bus and freight sector, 25

14.5

15.2

targeting vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Methods of enforcement vary depending on the type of LEZ in place or the classification of vehicles included. 15.3 For buses the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland can apply conditions to bus operators licences specifying emission standards. The Council would need to satisfy the Traffic Commissioner that there is a case to impose such conditions; subsequent enforcement would be the responsibility of the Traffic Commissioner. To enforce mandatory controls for road freight vehicles, the LEZ would require a Traffic Regulation Order. Enforcement could then take a number of forms including manual, fixed CCTV, Automatic Number Plate Recognition. This is likely to require significant capital and revenue investment by the Council. An alternative method of enforcement might be to authorise Council Parking Wardens to enforce a scheme for road freight. Taxis are licensed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. An option to control emissions from this vehicle class would be to impose conditions on the operators licence. At its meeting in November 2011, the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee instructed the Director of Services for Communities to consult as soon as practicable after the publication of forthcoming guidance by Defra/Scottish Government and report on the potential introduction of a mandatory Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Edinburgh as a means of improving air quality. The Edinburgh LEZ consultation to focus on the bus and freight sector targeting vehicles over 3.5 tonnes with the report summarising the revised guidance and implications for Edinburgh, including the indicative costings and benefits of establishing and operating the LEZ both financial and nonfinancial. Defra/Scottish Government guidance on LEZs has been delayed due to review of vehicle emission factors, also being carried out by DEFRA and is not expected until 2013. 16 16.1 Local Development Plan The Local Development Plan (Env 18) is under review to ensure that it accords with the South East Scotland Structure Plan (SESPLAN). The environmental policy that underpins the current LDP is likely to be carried forward into the revised LDP; this states that development will not be supported where there is significant adverse effect on air, soil or water quality.

15.4

15.5

15.6

26

Newbridge Roundabout to Ratho Station - Air Quality Management Area

Produced by City of Edinburgh Council, Corporate Governance, Policy and Public Affairs, on 19 January 2012. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED

Legend
AQMA

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100023420. City of Edinburgh Council 2011.

195

390

780

1,170

1,560 Meters

Central Air Quality Management Area

Produced by City of Edinburgh Council, Corporate Governance, Policy and Public Affairs, on 19 January 2012. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED

Legend
AQMA per the order AQMA - extended area per the variation

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100023420. City of Edinburgh Council 2011.

420

840

1,680

2,520

3,360 Meters

Great Junction Street extension - Air Quality Management Area

Produced by City of Edinburgh Council, Corporate Governance, Policy and Public Affairs, on 19 January 2012. NOT TO BE REPRODUCED

Legend
AQMA per the order AQMA - extended area per the variation

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100023420. City of Edinburgh Council 2011.

110

220

440

660

880 Meters

9b

7b

30.8m
2
18 16
12
384 386

1a

382

1b

Bank
318 320

1c

370 372

Lodge

29.0m 30.2m 31.1m

7 8

31.4m
376 380

s Inverleith Garden
65 66

Bowhill Te
Bank
2
1

rrace

FERRY

D RO A
War d Bdy

63

61

60

to

58

S El

ub

57

Surgery
6

28.3m
Bank
18 15 to

7
5

EN LD GO

RE AC

50

Annexe to Royal Botanic Garden & Arboretum

48

26.8m

4 to
3

1 to

LM HO NG BA

Hotel

42

25.6m

Edinburgh Academy

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. Crown Copyright and database right 2010. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence Number 100023420.

Indicative AQMA : Ferry Road - Inverleith Row

10

St
10

12

s me Ja

's

YS RO

14

u rc Ch

N TO

16

h
12 to

E AC RR TE

Garage

17

15

13
11

E AC RR TE

S ta

16

16

18

th G In ve rlei

th G ar In ve rlei

62

29.9m
2 to 4

32.3m

ard en s

dens

nk Ba

rdens Inverl eith Ga

1

Bo wh ill Te rrace

64

PH

15

12 14

NG BA

19

20

22

R WE BO LM HO

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10 8

10

42

2 to 4

5 6

8
22
24

Tennis Courts

Pav

El Sub Sta
282 284

rf's St S e u rch h Ch Pa ris

20
12

14
8 10

298 300

4 6
2

28.0m
Shelter

2c

1
2 to 4
5

TH OU NM MO

AV INVER LEITH

RR TE

23 28

6 to 8

ENUE

5 to 7

n ta Mo ra Ter gu ce
14
LB

9 to 11

George Heriot's School Rec

21

to

23

GOLDENACRE

n ta Mo

19 to
B TC

23 24 to 27

rra Te gu

ce

13

14

10

to

12

7 to

n ta Mo ra Ter gu

32

E AC RR TE s ce rra Te

18

ce