The Low Emissions Towns and Cities Programme (LETCP) is a partnership of seven metropolitan authorities in the West Midlands working to improve air quality from road transport. The LETCP is developing a Low Emissions Strategy to reduce vehicle emissions through measures such as encouraging cleaner fuels and technologies. Workstreams include developing best practice guidance for planning, procurement, and a technical study assessing a potential Low Emissions Zone and its health and economic impacts. The goal is an integrated approach across the region to pollution reduction.

1. Low Emissions Towns and Cities Programme
Developing a Low Emissions Strategy
for West Midlands
NOx and the City, the LES Summit
25th
July 2013

2. Content
 Introduction to the LETCP
 Overview of work streams

3. What is the LETCP?
 Partnership comprising seven
Metropolitan Authorities
 Overseen by Air Quality Officers
 Working to improve air quality from
road transport
 Programme funded through Defra Air
Quality Grant:
• 1st
Tranche - Low Emissions
Strategy /Good Practice
Guidance
• 2nd
Tranche - Low Emissions Zone
Technical Feasibility Study
• 3rd
Tranche - implementation,
Health Awareness

4.  Road transport largest
contributor to local air pollution
 122,000 people affected by poor
air quality in West Midlands
 6% /7% adult deaths in
Birmingham and Sandwell
attributed pollution levels
 Accounts for 630 premature
deaths each year
 Outside London, West Midlands
has worst NO2 in the UK
 6 LAs declared AQMAs – exceed
NO2 limit values
 Significant fines imposed
upon local authorities
Why the LETCP?

5. Aims of the Programme
 Produce a Low Emissions Strategy to
improve air quality through the reduction
vehicle emissions
 Ensure an integrated policy approach
 Share best practice
 Encourage Partnership working
 Exploit economic development
advantages

6. LETCP Workstreams

7. Low Emissions Strategy
 Led by Walsall
Council
 Overarching strategy
 Raise awareness
 Accelerate the uptake
of cleaner fuels and
technologies
 Promote inward
investment

8. Best Practice Planning Guidance
 Led by Dudley MBC
 Simplified approach to
deal with AQ in the
planning system
 Sets out guidance on
mitigation measures to be
delivered through land-use
planning
 Provides a template to
update Air Quality Actions
Plans

9. Best Practice Procurement Guidance
 Led by Coventry City
Council
 Public Sector procures
£14b vehicles & travel
 Measures to adopt and
promote Green procurement
policies
 Promote LEV
fleets/whole life costing
 Provides examples of
best practice in West
Midlands

10. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study
 Led by Birmingham City
Council
 Assess impact of local
transport measures that
encourage uptake cleaner
vehicle technology
 To improve air quality and
prevent deterioration
 Consider
- economic costs /benefits
- health impact assessments

11. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

12. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

13. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

14. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

15. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study
Dudley MBC – Location 1 Windmill Hill, Cradley

16. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

17. Low Emissions Zone Technical Study

18. Implementation and Health Awareness
 3rd
phase focus on
implementation and
health awareness
 Develop
Taxi/Bus/Freight
Emissions Strategy
Develop Low
Emission Vehicle
Infrastructure Plan
 Health Awareness
campaign amongst
schools

19. Thank You
Contact
Vicki Popplewell
Regional Coordinator – Low Emissions Strategy
West Midlands Low Emissions Towns & Cities
Programme
T. 01922 654390
E-mail popplewellv@walsall.gov.uk
Web address:
www.walsall.gov.uk/low_emissions_towns_and_cities_programme