Question 20. How do you think we should achieve improvements in air quality?

2.45 Air quality matters are more prevalent in Cambridge City centre and there are no particular issues in Comberton that would have implications for our site. However, it is clear that the location of new housing development in villages such as Comberton can take advantage of the proposed Greenway provision and local bus services, which can have positive implications for air quality by encouraging commuting by cycle and public transport. This supports the wider aims and aspirations for sustainable development and seeking to reduce climate change. 2.46 We have set out earlier that development should be located in locations such as Comberton where it can take advantage of the investment into sustainable infrastructure such as the Greenway. 2.47 Comberton also benefits from a good range of local services and facilities including a Sixth Form College and the Concept Plan demonstrates a highly permeable development with good links to these facilities. This should limit short car journeys, for example the Primary School is immediately south of the site and therefore avoid issues around air quality in Comberton itself. 2.48 In addition, in discussions with potential retirement village operators, it is common for residents to be served by electric vehicles for trips. We would also anticipate new development to incorporate EV vehicle charging points, as well as provision of a dedicated EV car-sharing car club space for public use.

3.19 A number of measures can be introduced to tackle air quality. Provision for polices which place minimum requirements on electric vehicle charging spaces will assist with promoting a step change from petrol/diesel to electric cars. 3.20 Contribution to improvements in air quality can also be made by dispersing development across sustainable settlements and in locations on growth corridors to disperse congestion and increase reliance on public transport. In this regard the allocation of land adjacent to Balsham Road, Linton is on a site that is not within or near to an air quality management area, but is within a sustainable settlement with good public transport links.

5.26 This can principally be achieved through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development where there is good access to active travel, coupled with access to affordable, frequent, reliable and high-quality public transport options; ● Better cycle and pedestrian connectivity – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme;

5.24 This can principally be achieved through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development where there is good access to active travel, coupled with access to affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle and pedestrian connectivity – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Developing the infrastructure for battery powered travel and encouraging/incentivising car sharing arrangements.

This can principally be achieved through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development where there is good access to active travel, coupled with access to affordable, frequent, reliable and high-quality public transport options; ● Better cycle and pedestrian connectivity – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme.

The Local Plan is limited in the measures it can introduce to address this issue. For example, it does not cover transport nor can it propose congestion alleviating measures. The obvious means of tackling air pollution in the city is through some form of Pollution Charge, but this lies outside the remit of the Plan. We feel that this should be made clearer so that people are not misled about what the Plan can achieve or influence. • In areas of poor air quality, new development should not be permitted unless the developer can demonstrate that their development will not contribute to a worsening of air quality. • The design of new homes should limit the exposure of occupants to air pollution. For example, not locating windows close to queuing traffic or the inclusion of ventilation systems that allow clean air flows. • Reducing the amount of car parking in developments, especially those that have good local access to shops, services and employment.

Electric power supplies for vehicles (including improving electricity infrastructure); Natural gas to villages reliant on oil (interim measure), Increase solar power, Plant hedges.

• We can achieve enormous improvements in air quality transitioning away from car dependency towards very high levels of cycling and walking. • Transport Assessments must demonstrate how developments will improve air quality. • Developments should be designed so that there is minimal car traffic near homes, schools, and places where people gather. In existing developments, traffic management should be introduced to remove and minimise car traffic. • Electric cars will still lead to significant pollution from tyres, road wear and brakes and will not resolve the issue of congestion or road danger. • Any electric car charging infrastructure that is provided in new and existing developments must not undermine walking and cycling accessibility. “Cars must be driven out of cities to tackle the UK’s air pollution crisis, not just replaced with electric vehicles, according to the UK government’s top adviser. Prof Frank Kelly said that while electric vehicles emit no exhaust fumes, they still produce large amounts of tiny pollution particles from brake and tyre dust, for which the government already accepts there is no safe limit.” (Carrington, 2017) Evidence for our response to Question 20. • Carrington, Damian (2017). Electric cars are not the answer to air pollution, says top UK adviser. The Guardian: Aug 4th, 2017. www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/04/fewer-cars-not-electric-cars-beat-airpollution-says-top-uk-adviser-prof-frank-kelly

Decrease need to travel every day, decrease use of cars by promoting walking and cycling, increase green spaces in the villages and towns. Ensure that the financial incentives for alternatives to car usage are equivalent or better than using car. Retrofitting of existing housing stock. Restriction on wood burning stoves.

ECC recommends the future spatial development for GCA should focus on the delivery of sustainable transport and locating development in locations where there is existing employment and/or growth potential. It is also recommended that consideration be given to the delivery of infrastructure to facilitate the use of low carbon transportation modes. Higher and more stringent standards should be expected in areas at risk of air quality issues. Development should be future proofed to ensure that autonomous vehicles and other innovations can be accommodated. Consideration should be given to low emission zones in AQMAs.

• Bring in a congestion charge in Cambridge for cars (five free journeys into Cambridge per month, then a fee based on how polluting your car is). Use the proceeds for this to fund a free, accessible bus network. A carrot and stick approach to reducing emissions and providing fair and free public transport. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/oct/15/i-leave-the-car-at-home-how-free-buses-are-revolutionising-one-french-city https://www.france24.com/en/20190831-france-dunkirk-free-transportation-bus-success-climate-cities • We can achieve enormous improvements in air quality transitioning away from car dependency towards very high levels of cycling and walking. • Transport Assessments must demonstrate how developments will improve and maintain air quality. • Developments should be designed so that there is minimal car traffic near homes, schools, and places where people gather. In existing developments, traffic management should be introduced to remove and minimise car traffic. • Electric cars will still lead to significant pollution from tyres, road wear and brakes and will not resolve the issue of congestion or road danger. • Any electric car charging infrastructure that is provided in new and existing developments must not undermine walking and cycling accessibility.

Air quality issues are created primarily by vehicular traffic. Reductions in vehicle emissions and provision for electric cars will slowly improve air quality. The key area where the Local Plan can improve air quality is through the allocation of sites for new development that will reduce the need for travel in vehicles per se; and will encourage travel by more sustainable modes. This needs to be carefully considered when the Council allocates sites for development in the next stages of the Local Plan process.

Establish base-line data, have monitoring stations, be perscriptive with developers and businesses – set standards. Work with Health bodies.

4.59 Improvement in local air quality can be achieved by considering where development can be located to reduce trips taken by private petrol and diesel cars. Electric vehicle (EV) charging points should be encouraged within the Local Plan to promote and facilitate the use of electric vehicles. Additionally, secure and suitable cycle parking should also be mandatory for all new development where users are likely to travel to site by this mode of transport. 4.60 Transport is not the only cause of poor air quality; the effects of building services must also be considered on the local environment. All-electric building strategies should be encouraged in favour of gas or biomass solutions which incorporate combustion on site and therefore negatively affect local air quality. Newlands’ developments are moving towards all-electric strategies which do not negatively contribute to local air quality. 4.61 Policies for tree planting and green infrastructure are likely to support air quality goals by facilitating removal and dispersion of pollutants which limits public exposure and improves health outcomes.

Please refer to the Sustainability Vision Statement which seeks out opportunities to bring the big themes to life in every aspect of the project.

5.25 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles. The following measures could be incorporated as part of the development of the Gas Field: ● Locating employment development where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme. A consultation is currently open for cycleway and pedestrian access improvements to Madingley Road including a new toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at Madingley Road Park and Ride, additional bus stops and the widening of footways and additional cycle lanes which would improve connectivity to the site and the surrounding area; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

Maximise use of public transport, walking and cycling by provision of appropriate services and infrastructure. Create employment space within communities. Facilitate home working. Implement fibre to the home, FTTH, broadband.

With regard to air quality and health, the Plan should strive to develop a strategy and related policies that enable more sustainable travel and reduced reliance / use of private cars. Greater Cambridge requires a significantly enhanced sustainable transport network including enhanced and safer walking and cycling networks and better, cheaper and more frequent public transport. In addition to cleaner air and better health this will benefit wildlife and climate change.

4.32 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles. For Kett House and 10 Station Road this could include the following measures: ● Locating residential development and places of work that has a high footfall where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high-quality public transport options. ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security (including the Chisholm Trail link) - achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme. ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

- The LDP must recognize that national policy on use of fossil fuels for transport will improve the future baseline.

4.25 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; and ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

4.32 Improvements in air quality could be achieved on Land at Capital Park principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly residential development and places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options. The site offers these sustainable transport connections through active modes of transport and public transport connections. ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme. ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties. A specific planting and landscaping scheme has not yet been devised for the site however an appropriate strategy would be to include a reinforced landscape buffer along the site frontages.

Question 20 – Improving Air Quality 2.10 As the College buildings straddle Magdalene Street, it suffers significantly from the high vehicle numbers which, despite the traffic calming works in the last decades, still results in high volumes of traffic causing air quality issues (due to the canyon effect of the buildings) and a physical danger to those crossing the road. The narrowness of the street exacerbates the air quality issue as often vehicles need to wait for opposing traffic and to queue at the traffic lights with Northampton Street. The gradient also means engines need to work harder, especially for large vehicles when moving off uphill. 2.11 The College would support any efforts to reduce vehicle numbers using Magdalene Street and to encourage the use of less-polluting vehicles where access is necessary

No response proposed.

One way for improvements to air quality to be made is through the selection process for potential allocations in the emerging GCLP encouraging travel by sustainable modes of transport. The location of the Mill Lane Site, Sawston, just across the A1301 from the Vision Centre provides significant opportunities for employees to access the Site via sustainable travel modes including walking and cycling. This is also true of Huawei’s emerging business and research campus on the former Spicers site. This submission is supported by a Transport Technical Note which confirms that there are a wide range of day-to-day local services and facilities that would be available to future residents of the Mill Lane Site, Sawston which can be accessed via sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport. This note also emphasises that there are several large employment sites located in the surrounding area including the Wellcome Genome Campus, Granta Park and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, which are within a comfortable cycling distance for future residents of the site. Additionally, both the Vision Centre and Huawei’s emerging business and research campus are nearby, just across the A1301, within a 5 or 10 minute walk or a few minutes’ cycle ride from the Mill Lane Site. In addition to the walking and cycling opportunities identified above the, submitted Transport Technical Note also highlights extensive existing public transport by both bus stops and train available to the Mill Lane Site today, as well as opportunities for even more public transport nearby which is currently in the planning process. The Mill Lane Site is located in close proximity to existing bus stops which provide regular services to a range of destinations including Cambridge. Whittlesford Parkway Railway Station and Shelford Railway Station are both less than 4km away and are within a reasonable cycling distance, and can be reached via Sustrans National Cycle Route. Train services from Whittlesford Parkway Station serve destinations including Cambridge, Bishop’s Stortford and London Liverpool Street. Allocating sites such as the Mill Lane Site, Sawston will therefore provide opportunities to reduce emissions to air through private car use and will result in additional positive benefits that accrue from promoting more active lifestyles.

4.14.1 Principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options. ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme. ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city. ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles particularly during rush hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad. 4.14.2 Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

4.29 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles, particularly during peak hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

2.31. It is acknowledged that air quality is a key consideration for Greater Cambridge. In seeking to improvements in air quality the Councils need to be informed by robust technical evidence base. Additionally it is noted that the Councils have recently introduced the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD, a review of the successes of this document should inform emerging policy.

4.34 Improvements in air quality should be achieved principally through the reduced use of polluting vehicles by: ● Locating development, particularly schools, places of work and other facilities that have a high footfall, where there is good access to active travel and affordable, frequent, reliable and high-quality public transport options; ● Better cycle lanes, parking and cycle security – achieved by developments directly and through a coordinated s106 infrastructure programme; ● Reducing the volume of HGV movements in the city; ● Encouraging the use of less polluting vehicles particular during rush hours when emissions from stationary traffic makes conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable groups particularly bad; ● Tree planting along road frontages: species selected for their pollution absorbing properties.

4.31 The aim should be to encourage less use of the private car and encourage sustainable forms of transport. Support should be given to growth in a wider variety of areas that could potentially reduce the length of journeys. Higher priorities should be given to support existing settlements that are in sustainable locations where development can offer wider improvements to the community, in particular improving walking, cycling and public transport. The availability of infrastructure to support electric vehicles is also a consideration but the wider sustainability issues of electric vehicles and the availability of electricity need to be addressed first.