Air quality team-up with uni Energy fund

WOKINGHAMBorough Council is teaming upwith the University of Reading to help improve air quality through smarter traffic management.

Cllr GregorMurray, executive member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions, said that 30 air pollution sensors are being installed to help assess the project.

“The results of this should also help to create a dynamic public health tool thatwill enable us, and our neighbouring authorities to make better traffic management decisions and air pollution interventions,” he said.

Hewas responding to a question asked by Cllr Sarah Kerr (Lib Dem, Evendons) whowanted to knowwhat the council as doing to implement PM 2.5 air pollution monitoring in the borough.

Cllr Murray also said that the council had received funding from DEFRA to fund an eco travel officer, whowill help develop action plans for air qualitymanagement zones. The council had also applied for funding to

create predictive mapswhere PM2.5 evels could be highest.

“The council is currently rolling out technology upgrades, through the Highways ITS project, to deliver intelligent signalisation that can both reduce congestion and improve air quality,” he added.

WOKINGHAMcould soon have the power, if a newCommunity Energy Fund is approved at Executive tonight.

Cllr Graham Howe (Con, Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe) said that neighbouring Reading already had such a schemewhich allows charities and community groups to apply for grant funding for solar panel and other green energy initiatives.

He asked: “AreWokingham Borough Council planning to launch a similar scheme?”

Responding, Cllr GregorMurray, executive member for Resident Services, Communications and Emissions, said that the funds increase the generation of renewable energy andwould beworkingwith Energy4All and Reading Community Energy for the launch of the scheme.

“Any profits made from the sale of energy, either to the national grid or to the building operator, are then either paid as a dividend to investors or are ring fenced and used to support other sustainability effortswithin the community. In recent years that dividend has typically been between 4 and 4.5% annually,” he said.

“I have no doubt that it will prove hugely popular if approved by the executive.”