Enda and Jim meet with Rob Hannaby from New Zealand Transport Agency

Enda and Jim recently had a lengthy, engaging and very informative meeting with Rob Hannaby, Principal Environmental Specialist from the New Zealand Transport Agency. Rob, an ex-air quality officer from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, contacted AQMRC as he wanted to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses local air quality management processes and the future challenges we face in the UK. Rob envisaged that the experiences of the UK highlighted by Enda and Jim may be beneficial in assisting the New Zealand transport authority in recognising their key role in managing local air quality and the lessons learned may be useful in informing future NZ policy.    

Enda presents at the Welsh Air Quality Forum

Enda gave a presentation at the annual Welsh Air Quality Forum Conference in Cwmbran on the 22^nd September 2010. The presentation entitled “Local Air Quality Management Update: Reviewing the Reviews” gave the delegates an insight into the findings and recommendations of the recent Local Air Quality Management Review (for which Enda was responsible for an extensive questionnaire survey of local authority opinions on the strengths and weakness of the LAQM process) and the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into air quality in the UK.

Enda gives a presentation and chairs the annual SEPA Conference

Enda gave a presentation entitled “Setting the Scene: Local Air Quality Management in the UK” and also chaired the recent Urban Air Quality Annual Conference organised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The Conference was directed at local authority land use planners, transport planners and sustainability staff can help to improve air quality, minimise the risk to human health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The event, hosted by the Scottish Government in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, on the 8^th September 2010, was well attended with over 90 delegates from environmental health, transport planning, land-use planning, environmental consultancies and academics.