'Medway's developments means air quality needs urgent action' says Lib Dems candidate for Strood North by-election

Chatham was named in a report last year as one of the worst areas in the country for air quality "exclusively driven by combustion in commercial, institutional, and domestic activities linked to long-term exposure to particulates " - Centre for Cities findings.

Local Liberal Democrats have been consistent in calling on the Council to play a leadership role by adopting policies which are in line with our local environment, and by investing in infrastructure that will improve the air quality and health of Medway residents. Given electric and low emissions vehicles are key in tackling air pollution, the Council has failed to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points around Medway. The Council should ensure that locations such as public car parks and supermarkets, new developments and large-scale regeneration schemes include electric car charging facilities.

Electric buses can play a major part in reducing air pollution, and the Council should fast track the procurement of pure electric buses to transform Medway's bus fleet. Promote its existing Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) by encouraging people to use public transport and provide incentives with cheaper fares, a greater frequency of services, more twilight bus services, quicker journey times and promoting eco-driving and car sharing.

Alan Wells, Lib Dems candidate for the upcoming Strood North by-election said, "As Medway faces new developments at Hoo and Frindsbury, action should be taken by the Council to develop an understanding of air quality around our towns' and by reviewing and upgrading its air quality monitoring network to reflect growth. The Council has an obligation in managing our towns' air quality, by minimising carbon emissions and where necessary extending coverage of monitoring to include more potential pollution hotspots around our region.

The Council's response lacks urgency, considering it has already declared a climate change emergency, admitting that its previous targets were inadequate. We have an air quality management area running right through the centre of Medway all along the A2 from Strood to Hoath Way, with extensions along Luton Road and between Cuxton Hill and Frindsbury, another running from the Lower Lines to Danes Hill and another running the length of Rainham High Street. There is also an air quality management area on 4 Elms Hill, Chattenden, which despite being declared in 2017, does not have a management plan. This is a huge area of the centre of Medway where people are suffering poor air quality and the Council is clearly dragging its heels.

Unless there is urgent action in reducing emissions, our towns' air quality will worsen and the health of future generations will suffer. We are calling for a local development plan that will invest in our local health, people deserve better, and Liberal Democrats demand better."

ENDS

Notes and additional text for Editors:

Alan Wells Strood North Candidate

Alan has been an active member of Medway Liberal Democrats since 2018 and has campaigned in Kent elections for the last 3 years. Alan has previously been a Candidate for River Ward in the 2019 local elections and has been Press Officer for the local party since January 2019.

Alan is a natural, enthusiastic campaigner on a wide range of issues. He has a strong understanding of social justice and campaigned in the our mental health unit campaign. He has been active on a number of our issues, such as defending the environment, homelessness issues and campaigning on air quality issues.

Alan Wells said "I feel privileged to represent the Liberal Democrats for Strood North. I have been working in the ward as a care assistant for 2 years and know the ward very well and I am determined to work hard to represent the residents of the ward"

A vote for Alan will be a vote to:

Improve Air Quality for Strood North & the area

Fight to protect local green spaces from unwanted development

Fight to keep local planning decisions under control of local people

Safer Streets

• Alan has lived locally all his life and works as a care assistant in Frindsbury, Strood.