John Baron MP encourages constituents to submit to Basildon Air Quality Project Consultation

MP says have your say

Following meetings earlier this year between local MPs and Councillors with Minister Rebecca Pow at DEFRA to discuss air quality in Upper Mayne and East Mayne without having to resort to charging in a Clean Air Zone [CAZ], Essex County Council and Basildon Council have launched a consultation on the preferred option to reduce people’s exposure to poor air quality. The proposal will redirect pedestrians and cyclists away from the central reservation, providing an alternative route along the west side of East Mayne, through the introduction of a pedestrian and cyclist crossing scheme. The crossings scheme is expected to avoid the need for a charging clean air zone and would also complement wider projects and initiatives to encourage safer, greener and healthier travel across Basildon. The consultation runs until Sunday 13th December.

The meeting was a follow up to a meeting in January to update the Minister on progress with measures to improve the air quality in these areas– MPs and Councillors were united in their opposition to such punitive measures and the Minister was pleased with the constructive progress to date in pursuing alternative measures which if successful would make a CAZ charge unnecessary.

John said:

“At meetings with Minister Pow earlier in the year, colleagues and I were united against the introduction of punitive measures such as charging in a Clean Air Zone, which would have been damaging to local businesses, and a more difficult pill to swallow given the economic impact of COVID-19. We were pleased that the Minister listened to our concerns and was open to alternative measures to improve air quality. It is pleasing to see that one of these proposals is now being consulted on, and I would encourage local people to submit to the consultation and ensure that their views are heard.”

Ends
Word Count: 317
Date: 23rd November 2020

Notes to Editors

A public engagement brochure and online survey are available via our website at: www.essex.gov.uk/airquality. The survey closes on Sunday, 13 December 2020.