There are no easy fixes but that should not stop us trying

The problem of air pollution in Ashbourne has been extensively reported on this website as has the disappointment felt by local residents at the actions proposed by the County Council to attempt to address the problem. Even the Deputy Leader of the County Council, Conservative Simon Spencer said at the District Council meeting of the Community and Environment Committee on 9th February that these actions "are not going to cure the issues that we face in the town of Ashbourne".

It was therefore not surprising that an amendment proposed by Lib Dem Cllr David Hughes to include in the consultation additional actions designed to discourage polluting vehicles received almost unanimous support across all political groups - just one vote against and one abstention. So Derbyshire Dales Councillors decided that a clean air zone and a 20mph zone should be also be considered in the consultation.

Bearing in mind that this was a vote on a consultation about possible actions then the reaction has been surprising, possibly because there has been some misunderstanding about what has been proposed. Among the loudest voices of apparent outrage have been those of the Conservative controlling group on the County Council.

Leader Barry Lewis has indicated that the County Council's preferred option for improving air quality in Ashbourne is to build a relief road. We believe that it is the preferred option of most of Ashbourne's residents as well. The proposal for a clean air zone in Ashbourne supports the bypass because it will encourage transport operators to lobby for funding by central government. Despite the County Council undertaking surveys and starting the planning process, there is no money available yet. That has been the situation for many years.

The County Council complained that they were not informed of the motion beforehand and accuse District Councillors of having political intent. But support for the motion came from all political groups including the lead Conservative group. So how could it be political? The County Council should also note that the measures are for consultation. The Air Quality Plan itself has not changed. The consultation is the responsibility of the District Council and will allow both councils to gauge the degree of support there is for a clean air zone and a 20mph zone and to decide afterwards whether to include them in the Plan..

This appears to be entirely consistent with the 2021 Conservative Manifesto produced for the County Council election in May that year which states "we will Introduce speed reduction schemes and clean air zones in our towns and villages where local people support it".