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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES BY THE DEPUTY OF GROUVILLE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 26th JUNE 2012
Question
Setting aside the closure of the Bellozanne Incinerator, which caused considerable air pollution across the entire Island, together with the latest measures that have been put in place to alleviate the noxious aromas emanating from the green waste composting process at La Collette 2, would the Minister outline what practical measures, if any, the Transport and Technical Services Department undertakes on a regular basis to improve air quality across Jersey.
Would the Minister offer some detail in respect of practical procedures undertaken by the Department to improve air quality in the area of the Town, where slow moving traffic causes excessive exhaust gas emissions?
Answer
The States approved a Sustainable transport policy (STP) in December 2010 which aims to reduce the proportion of trips made by private car and to encourage the use of smaller lower emissions vehicles. Achieving these two aims will result in a reduction in air pollution, particularly in the town area where high volumes of motor vehicles on our narrow streets can lead to traffic congestion.
TTS has been working on several initiatives to apply the policy.
Key to reducing reliance on the private car is a better bus service. Several improvements to the network have been introduced, increasing peak hour capacity and providing better coverage to rural areas and on Sundays. 9 new bus shelters were installed in 2011 and TTS has worked with the current operator to introduce new improved vehicles, most notably the double decker buses on the route 15 to the airport. Highly significant to the continued improvement to the bus services and delivery of the STP targets is the considerable work TTS has done and is continuing to do towards appointing an operator for the new contract which commences in January 2013. A preferred bidder has been selected for the second and final stage of the tender process and negotiations are in progress to ensure that the new contract will enable the bus service to meet the requirements of the STP, including a more comprehensive island wide network, increased peak time capacity, a town service and improved school bus service. Higher bus emission standards will be a condition of the new contract.
A significant aspect of the STP is encouraging walking and cycling. The cycle route from the west into St Helier has been extended along Commercial Buildings and work is ongoing to provide a continuous cycle route through to Havre des Pas. The first stage of the eastern cycle network has been completed between Gorey Pier and Lavender Villa and work is ongoing to develop its continuation. More cycle stands have been and will be installed, particularly in the town centre. Several minor improvements to encourage walking have been completed including new crossing facilities and new sections of footpaths.
Encouraging people to make better travel choices is an important aspect of the policy and TTS is working with schools to develop travel plans and have organised 2 "green travel" awareness days to promote sustainable travel. 24 School travel plans have been completed since the programme commenced in 2011.
With regard to air pollution, it is essential that in addition to reducing the proportion of people choosing to travel by private car, the use of more environmentally friendly' cars is encouraged. TTS provides half price parking for low emissions vehicles and is introducing electric vehicles into the States fleet. The new town park is serviced by an electric pick up truck and the tender for renewal of the States car lease fleet to be renewed this year favours low emission vehicles with 10 cars to be fully electric. Plans are being progressed in conjunction with the JEC for reserved spaces and charging points for electric cars in our main town car parks.
Through its planned vehicle fleet replacement policy, all TTS owned vehicles will meet or exceed the Euro 3 vehicle emission standard by the end of 2012, with much of the fleet meeting the Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards.
Traffic flows and air quality are monitored by TTS and by the Environmental Health Department respectively and I will be publishing a progress report on the impact of the STP on these issues shortly.
In addition to these transport initiatives, the Department has installed a number of odour control units on the foul sewer system. Problems have arisen at certain pumping stations which has caused odour nuisances to nearby residents. These units pass the odorous air through biological or carbon filters. The outlet air is sampled on a monthly basis to ensure all units are working correctly.
The last unit installed was at Bonne Nuit treatment plant which is located next to the public toilets at Bonne Nuit Harbour. We have received a number of comments on how this unit has reduced all nuisance odours.