Clean Air and Pollution
Clean air should be the entitlement of all. We look out to blue skies or grey clouds and think there is clean air between us and them. But that’s rarely the case. Our air is increasingly full of gases and particles that we can’t see or even smell but which can harm us.
In view of the potential impact for making changes that will improve air quality, particular attention is given here to building support across the community, as outlined below.
Light and noise pollution are associated issues. ‘Light blight’ is increasingly recognised for its detrimental impact on wildlife and humans, with environmental and scientific organisations continuing to sound warnings about it. Disruption of sleep is a concern, as is the impact on creatures and
eco-systems. Solutions are readily available.
Key Issues
- Awareness and understanding – understanding what we have to deal with Individual actions – practical things we can do now, which will also encourage others
- Community and infrastructure projects – what we need to think about communally and plan ahead for
- Developing a widely supported movement for change – with broad appeal
3.1 Awareness and understanding
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: CO2 impact on global warming
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: medical risks from black carbon
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: household pollutants
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: sources / dispersal of pollution
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: practical carbon capture
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Action: Produce leaflets and website information on: light pollution
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Action: Selective AQ monitoring in key areas as available at modest cost
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Action: Traffic surveys at peak times
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Action: Collect examples of personal experiences
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Action: Seek medical advice & support
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Action: Build a model of pollution levels and times
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Action: One or more suitable public events such as a carbon cutting workshop along the lines led in Henley, possibly as part of Green Living Week.
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Action: Promote awareness of light pollution including the CPRE guidance relevant to planning decisions.
3.2 Individual actions which can encourage others to make changes
Creating a healthier town centre
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Action: Promote the following: Drive more smoothly and slowly
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Action: Promote the following: Switch to a more efficient model
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Action: Promote the following: Turn off engine – don’t idle
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Action: Promote the following: Use car parks away from the High Street
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Action: Promote the following: Use ring road, not town centre
Cleaner ‘outside’ air
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Action: Promote the following: Plant trees, hedges, shrubs at home (see also Green Spaces focus area)
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Action: Promote the following: Buy carbon offsets
Noise Pollution
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Action: Take precautions by: not using noisy equipment unless necessary
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Action: Take precautions by: not using equipment at antisocial times
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Action: Take precautions by: shielding noise where possible
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Action: Take precautions by: warning neighbours where applicable
Transport and Travel
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Action: Promote the following: Don’t fly unless you must or take steps to reduce your flights
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Action: Promote the following: Use Skype, Zoom or video conferencing more
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Action: Promote the following: Don’t drive if you don’t need to – unless there are several of you
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Action: Promote the following: Book trains early for better fares
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Action: Promote the following: Adjust your mindset – change your mode of travel and take time to enjoy the journey
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Action: Promote the following: If you can’t avoid plane or car, cut back elsewhere and consider paying for carbon offsets through one of several providers
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Action: Promote the following: Don’t use the car unless essential
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Action: Promote the following: Walk/cycle (allow time!)
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Action: Promote the following: Walk/cycle (allow time!)
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Action: Promote the following: Go electric
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Action: Promote the following: Car share
Light Pollution
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Action: Take remedial measures: reduce pollution from outside/ security lights
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Action: Take remedial measures: avoid upwards-facing outside lights
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Action: Take remedial measures: check positioning and control of street lights
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Action: Take remedial measures: install light timers
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Action: Take remedial measures: use less intense and warm (not cool) lights
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Action: Take remedial measures: use curtains and blinds to shield lights
Cleaner Air at Home
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Action: Promote the following: Reduce open frying of food
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Action: Promote the following: Reduce meat/ dairy consumption
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Action: Promote the following: Reduce use of tumble dryers etc.
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Action: Promote the following: Cut back harmful sprays
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Action: Promote the following: Don’t use log fires except with kiln-dried wood
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Action: Promote the following: Install better home insulation
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Action: Promote the following: Turn down heating
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Action: Consider replacing gas-fired or oil-fired boilers, e.g. with Air Source’ or ‘Ground Source’ Heat Pumps without polluting exhaust gases
3.3 Develop a widely supported movement for change on Air Quality
1. Build Awareness
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Action: Progress the following: Summarise the options available (see below) and their respective benefits/ drawbacks
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Action: Progress the following: Hold a town hall Clean Air / carbon workshop event with discussion
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Action: Progress the following: Plan a Thame Green Living Week – say, with a different emphasis each day (see below)
2. Create vision and outline strategy
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Action: Progress the following: Agree parameters for vision
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Action: Progress the following: Prepare outline ideas and options
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Action: Progress the following: Engage interested parties
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Action: Progress the following: Seek levels of agreement on possible actions
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Action: Progress the following: Engage graphic designers to assist consultation and consider range of media
3. Test the options
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Action: Progress the following: A trial no idling day for Thame
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Action: Progress the following: A campaign involving volunteers and publicity and volunteers at school gates
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Action: Progress the following: A trial week for changing the pattern of school runs, including walking buses and less use of cars
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Action: Progress the following: An electric vehicle (EV) open day in the town with test drive opportunities
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Action: Progress the following: An EV only day in town centre
Work with stakeholders and partners to test the options
Schools
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Action: Progress the following: Approach headteachers and school governors for their active involvement
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Action: Progress the following: Plan school projects to increase awareness of issues – including school gates pollution
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Action: Progress the following: Encourage parents to walk children to school or seek practical solutions
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Action: Progress the following: Promote a ‘walking bus’ and similar schemes
Businesses & public transport vehicles
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Action: Identify the main users / owners of petrol and diesel commercial vehicles and consider their likely needs and options. Contact Arriva and other bus/coach and taxi companies
Local Authorities
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Action: Progress the following: Promote the ‘cleaner, greener Thame’ message and principles with all relevant authorities
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Action: Progress the following: Engage at an early stage with SODC/OCC re parking/road/ highway strategies
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Action: Progress the following: Identify councillors and others able to help
4. Refine the vision and strategy
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Action: Progress the following: Review all information received
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Action: Progress the following: Consider other responses received to date
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Action: Progress the following: Refine vision in light of findings
5. Consultation and updated thinking
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Action: Progress the following: Set up consultation sessions/ surveys for views on vision, proposals and options
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Action: Progress the following: Summarise responses for transport strategy
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Action: Progress the following: Communicate findings to all
6. New Clean Air Transport strategy
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Action: Finalise the green transport strategy in light of all information and responses received
3.4 Consideration of Community and Infrastructure Projects
Traffic Calming
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Action: Consider the following options: 20 mph zone in central and other congested areas
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Action: Consider the following options: Remove speed humps in High Street
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Action: Consider the following options: Fewer turn-offs and pullouts
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Action: Consider the following options: Better parking (see right)
Parking and pollution
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): No queuing permitted for parking spaces
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Realign parking (perhaps centrally) to enable fewer movements (perhaps in conjunction with a High Street one-way system)
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Reduce number of parking spaces on the High Street itself
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Reduce parking time to 1 hr max to free spaces
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Prohibition on idling for cars, buses and trucks
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Limit parking to disabled and electric cars
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options for Lower High Street (by Town Hall): Consider steps needed to enforce effective control of the chosen options
Traffic Zone Options
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options (and similar): One-way system in all or part of Lower High Street and surrounding roads
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options (and similar): Access to town centre but restrict ability to drive through the centre
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following options (and similar): Prohibit any vehicles except electric or mobility vehicles or disabled badge holders from accessing the town centre
Shared streets and broader pavement options
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following option: Priority for those on foot or bike
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following option: Segregated cycle lane
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following option: Wider pavements
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Action: Investigate the feasibility and support for following option: More space for meeting and outdoor seating
3.5 Ideas for the future
The town centre we wish to have in 2030
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Action: Review clean air and transport plan ideas with proposals for cleaner, safer walking and cycling, safe mobility scooter and electric vehicle use, more greenery and an open and vibrant town centre area for a broad range of uses and activities.
Working towards carbon neutrality for Thame
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Action: Pursue specific recommended actions in this plan to contribute to decarbonisation
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Action: Set up a comprehensive carbon audit or similar exercise to establish the main local sources of carbon emissions
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Action: Set up suitable metrics to measure and monitor ongoing levels practical implementation steps & timelines
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Action: Set up suitable links with local authority and government policies and initiatives