Welcome to JorAir!
Find out about air quality in York
Welcome to JorAir - City of York Council's new air quality website. The site has recently had an overhaul, to update various sections and address some accessibility issues - we hope you like the new look!
Latest news is published below as and when it happens...check back regularly for updates!
The various sections of the site can be accessed using the menu to the right of the page. Kids, you can click on the image below to go straight to the fun stuff!
Latest News
Consultation on York’s Low Emission Strategy commences
Based on national estimates, between 94 and 163 people die prematurely in York each year due to the impacts of poor air quality. This is approximately the same number of premature deaths due to alcohol abuse, obesity and road accidents together. To tackle this issue York has taken the step of developing an ‘overarching’ low emission strategy for the city, the first document of its kind in the UK.
The LES builds on air quality improvement measures already implemented in the city. It considers how low emission vehicles and alternative fuels, along with improved vehicle maintenance and driving standards, can be used to help improve air quality in the city. The LES principles are to be applied across a wide range of council functions including planning, economic development, fleet management, procurement and transport planning.
Residents, business, transport operators and other interested individuals /organisations can help influence the development of the LES and the subsequent new Air Quality Action Plan for the city (AQAP3) by completing a questionnaire at www.york.gov.uk/consultation or www.york.gov.uk/airquality by 18th May 2012.
The LES is due to be formally adopted in September 2012. A full version of the draft LES can be viewed in the JorAir reports section.
Posted 23rd April 2012
York welcomes its first Low Emission Officer
February saw the arrival of Derek McCreadie, York’s first ‘Low Emission Officer’. Derek is tasked with helping to promote and enable the adoption of low emission vehicles and alternative fuels in the city. He will support the delivery of York’s emerging Low Emission Strategy (LES) and the I-travel York programme. One of his first tasks will be to develop both public and private electric vehicle recharging infrastructure in the city.
Derek would be pleased to hear from anyone who thinks they might be able to assist with the roll out of low emission vehicles and alternative fuels in the city.
Derek can be contacted on 01904 551555 or environmental.protection@york.gov.uk
Posted 23rd March 2012
York becomes a 'low emission' champion
York has been selected to become one of three regional low emission cities in England, after a joint bid by the council and Leeds City Council to join the Low Emissions Strategy initiative (LES).
The LES initiative was established in 2007 to increase good practice in reducing transport emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and focuses specifically on accelerating the uptake of low emission transport and other low emission technologies.
The York / Leeds partnership known as the 'Leeds City Region Regional Group Initiative (LCR RGi) has an ambitious programme of work planned for the forthcoming year including:
- Development of a low emission strategy in York
- Accelerating the uptake of low emission vehicles within the LCR
- Provision of low emission infrastructure within the LCR
- Development of regional low emission planning guidance
- Hosting of a low emission vehicle demonstration day
Posted 3rd May 2010
New AQMA declared in Fulford
Following consultation with residents of Fulford and Heslington earlier in the year, a new Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared in Fulford on 8th April 2010. This was due to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide on Fulford Main Street.
Local residents were consulted on three different options earlier this year with the majority of respondents (70 per cent) favouring plans to extend the existing Air Quality Management Area.
The council will have 12-18 months to develop an Air Quality Action Plan for the area. Residents will be asked for their views on the best way of improving air quality on Fulford Main Street later this year.
Maps of the AQMA and further information can be found on the main City of York Council website
Posted 9th April 2010
JorAir Prize Winner!
A lucky pupil at Fishergate Primary School has won a new mountain bike and safety equipment as part of a prize draw organised by the Environmental Protection Unit.
The delighted pupil was Aisha Khan, age 9. Aisha pledged to use her new bike to cycle to school and to create some posters to encourage people to use public transport!
Posted 13th July 2009
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