Low Emissions Strategies
Low Emission Strategies are a package of measures aimed at reducing the air quality and climate change impacts of road transport. They aim to accelerate the uptake of low emission fuels and technologies and complement other sustainable transport measures such as travel planning, public transport provision and behaviour change programmes.
Local authorities in Liverpool City Region worked with the Low Emission Strategies Partnership to develop a Low Emissions Strategy for the area. The Low Emission Strategy initially focused on the following actions;
- Development of a Merseyside-wide planning policy note for development control purposes, with the potential for developing into a Supplementary Planning Document in the future.
- Inclusion of Low Emission Strategies within LTP3.
- Preparation of a model scheme for using offset developer contributions received in lieu of Low Emission Strategies actions to support low emission buses.
- Investigate the use of Low Emission Strategies in taxi licensing.
- Investigate the use of Low Emission Strategies principles in developing a Sustainable Procurement Strategy.
The Low Emission Strategy has run since April 2010 and has made the following progress;
- A planning policy note has been developed setting standards for transport emission reductions and provision of electric vehicle charging points. The policy note is out for consultation in Sefton with a view to being formally adopted during the next year. The remaining local authorities will be encouraged to consider adoption of the planning policy note.
- Low Emission Strategies have been included within the preferred strategy for the 3rd Merseyside Local Transport Plan. Following extensive consultation the Local Transport Plan will be finalised and delivered from April 2011.
- Plans to create a Taxi Quality Partnership which include vehicle emission standards as a prerequisite to membership are currently going through consultation with the taxi trade. A demonstration day was held to raise awareness amongst taxi drivers and operators of the variety of low emission vehicle technologies available.
- Public and private partners from across Liverpool City Region joined forces to bid for Plugged-in Places funding to install electric vehicle charging points. Although unsuccessful in securing Plugged-in Places funding the consortia are actively seeking alternative ways of delivering a charging network.
- The Liverpool City Region's Low Emission Strategies work won the award for tackling transport and travel emissions at the North West Climate Leaders Awards.
More information about the Low Emission Strategies Partnership can be found here.