THERE is still time to have your say on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s plans to tackle air pollution by getting involved in the Council’s Low Emissions Strategy consultation.

Residents are being asked to share their views on how best to tackle air pollution in the borough and reduce the impact it can have on people’s health.

While air quality in the borough is generally good, there are a small number of areas affected by nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Cheshire West and Chester Council unveiled its proposed Low Emission Strategy to help tackle this and ensure local air quality meets the required standards.

The Council is consulting with residents and other interested parties on the content of the proposed strategy. The consultation will close on January 12.

Cabinet Member Councillor Karen Shore said: “I hope as many people as possible will get involved and give their views, particularly if they live near or in an Air Quality Management Area.

“Pollutants are mainly produced by combustion processes and are found in exhaust fumes, particularly from diesel vehicles.

“The council recently submitted a bid to DEFRA for £375,000 to upgrade a number of bus engines with pollution abatement technology, which, if successful, will have a real benefit on air quality across the borough.

“We are also currently assessing the potential to rollout electric vehicle charging points across council sites and in a number of our public car parks.

“Although our Low Emission Strategy does not cover industrial emissions, these, unlike vehicle emissions, are very tightly regulated through other regimes.

“The Air Quality Action Plan addressing the air quality issue in Thornton le Moors, for example, has just been published for public consultation. Details are available on the council’s website.”

Residents and businesses, along with any other interested parties, are encouraged to get involved in the following ways.

Visit the Council’s website at cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/lowemissionstrategy, email environmentalprotection@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or write to Cheshire West and Chester Council, Research, Intelligence and Consultation Team, Nicholas Street, Chester.