Climate Emergency

Last month, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Energy and Green Spaces, Cllr Matt Bryan, took part in a live debate at the Sustainability Show in Manchester.


The discussion session was focused on delivering a renewable future – a vision for hope in the North West. On the discussion panel, alongside Cllr Bryan, were Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester Mayor), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor), representatives from the North West Net Zero Youth Network, Dale Vince (Founder of Ecotricity), Rose Marley (CEO Cooperatives UK) and Ameria Sawas (Chief Research and Engagement Officer at Climate Outreach).

The NW Net Zero (NWNZ) Youth Network discussed some of the actions highlighted in their report, which was developed following the NWNZ Youth Conference in October 2022. Sustainable transport options were a flagged as a priority, with improvements to public transport and cycling infrastructure highlighted as an important focus for local leaders.

Educational initiatives around energy use and simple steps we can all take to make a difference were also discussed, alongside support for businesses to use green energy in the region. And jobs and skills in the green sector, plus creating and protecting green spaces in their local areas, are issues where the group would like to see more work done.

The panel discussed the initial findings from the North West Green Task Force, a collaboration between the leaders of the North West and some of the other members of the panel. Their findings provided a valuable initial analysis of the potential for renewable energy generation in the region. The report suggestions that renewable energy presents us with an opportunity for a green industrial revolution, where improving our carbon footprint can also reduce people’s energy bills and create good, skilled jobs locally.

The panel also discussed the urgency of devolved powers to our region to help facilitate the rapid decarbonisation for other areas across the UK.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will continue to work closely with both the NWNZ Youth network and the North West Green Taskforce to ensure our borough is represented in future discussions and the voice of the younger generation in our area feeds in to our climate action plans.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new mobile library vehicle has launched this week. The new vehicle, which replaces the existing mobile library is fully electric and therefore much cleaner and greener.

The new vehicle is fully accessible and includes a hearing loop. It also has other sustainable features including solar panels and LED lighting. Other improvements include an awning for summer activities and onboard Wi-Fi and digital access for customers.

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We believe our new mobile library is the first electric mobile library in the country and will contribute to the Council’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. It looks wonderful with its new livery and I’m sure it will attract attention on its routes around the borough.

“Some mobile library stops will also be enhanced with events and activities delivered by the library service and with partners.”

The new vehicle offers a wide range of stock including adult and children’s’ books as well as audiobooks. It also provides access to the Library Management System, enabling customers to borrow books from across the library service and to make reservations, as well as update their library accounts.

Mobile Library staff can also provide online Council information and a Council enquiry service. Library members have free access to a wide range of online resources, including eBooks, via the libraries’ webpage.

Following a consultation in Autumn 2022 the Library Service has carefully considered all feedback and has used this to help redesign and shape the future of the mobile library service to meet resident’s needs. You can view the findings of the consultation at Mobile Library Service consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council

You can view the all the stops and the timetable for the service at Mobile library service | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Modifications to the vehicle were completed by a local company – Astra Vehicle Technologies - based in Ellesmere Port.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, working with local groups and other key stakeholders, will launch the Clean Dee Consultation on Thursday 20 July.

The River Dee is one of Chester’s greatest assets but concern about the pollution of our rivers and coastal waters has been growing over the last few years. While there are several sources of pollution, attention has focused on the issue of untreated sewage being discharged into our waters, particularly during and following periods of heavy rainfall.

Responding to increasing local concerns about river cleanliness, the Council set up a cross-party task group of councillors to investigate this issue and they recommended that the Council should look into the feasibility of applying to designate part of the river as a bathing water.

Designated bathing water status refers to the designation of a beach or inland water as a bathing water so that information on water quality is provided to bathers and their health can be protected.

Bathing water designation does not mean the water meets bathing water quality standards or that the water is safe for bathers, but it can be the first step to ensure action is taken to improve water quality by reducing contamination.

This six-week consultation will inform a decision on the feasibility of submitting an application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for a part of the river to be designated as a bathing water.

In considering applications, DEFRA takes into account the facilities at the site, the number of bathers and the outcome of a local consultation.

On 3 July 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published new, stricter guidance on the criteria and the application process. Further clarification of some of the new criteria is still being sought.

The Council has been monitoring the use of the river since the end of May 2023, based on the previously published criteria, and it will continue to do so until the end of the bathing season (30 September), now based on the new criteria.

Although there are several sites where people bathe, it is only Sandy Lane, upstream from the river ferry, that potentially fits the published criteria.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said: “We would like as many people as possible to get involved in our Clean Dee Consultation, so we can decide the best course of action regarding a potential application to DEFRA.

“Improved water quality would, of course, benefit not only bathers but also a wide range of other leisure and sports users, including paddlers, paddleboarders, canoeists, rowers, leisure boat users and local businesses as well as the environment and wildlife.”

The purpose of the designation is to protect existing bathers, not to increase the number. More generally, as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting water safety throughout the borough, the Council is working with consultants and others in helping to ensure that a wide range of users can enjoy water safely.

Once a coastal water or river is designated as a bathing water the Environment Agency is required to test the water quality throughout the bathing season (from 15 May to 30 September) and then to categorise the bathing water annually at the end of the season as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’.

The Council is carrying out the public consultation to explore the views of all stakeholders - local residents, community and sports groups, visitors and businesses – who are asked to give their views on what the river means to them and how they use it.

From 20 July, you can take part in the survey here. (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/CleanDee)

In addition to the online survey, respondents can give their views in an email, in writing and by requesting a paper version of the survey. Paper versions can be requested by contacting the Council’s Public Protection team (see below).

• By telephone on 01244 973708
• Email at: regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• Post: Public Protection Service, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA)

The consultation will close on 31 August 2023.

Once all the required information, including consultation responses, has been collected, the Council will consider the results and then make a decision on the feasibility of an application. The results of the consultation will be published on the Council website.

Any application must be submitted by 31 October.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Total Environment team has previously worked with a number of Parish Councils to create new community orchards. Increasing orchard provision will help provide opportunities and access to locally grown fruit, support biodiversity as well as naturally enhancing Cheshire’s landscape.

Funding is being sourced to support the 2024 planting season for a number of new orchards within our borough. Expressions of interest are invited from Town or Parish Councils or voluntary agencies who manage publically accessible land who are interested in creating a community orchard. As an indicator the minimum area requirement is roughly the size of a tennis court. Funding is available which will cover the cost of purchasing fruit trees, stakes and ties, with planting delivered as part of a community engagement activity. We are looking for potential schemes for delivery during the forthcoming planting season i.e. winter 2024. Subject to funding we are also hoping to run a fruit tree workshop to support volunteers with ongoing maintenance and management tasks.

Promotional footage which provides an overview of the scheme can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/795546906?login=true#_=_

To enquire or register your interest please email HealthRanger@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk quoting community orchard interest. Potential locations will be subject to a site visit to assess for suitability and funding approvals.

Following meetings with Lee Waters MS, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change and senior managers of Transport for Wales (TfW), Growth Track 360 welcomes commitments to improve services on the Borderlands Line from Transport for Wales and the Minister.

The TfW commitment to improvement follows the cessation of train services service on the Wrexham to Bidston Line and their replacement by rail replacement bus services earlier this year. The withdrawal of train services followed a steady deterioration in service reliability over the winter of 2022.

The removal of trains from the Borderlands Line arose from the redeployment of Class 150 diesel trains to other parts of the Wales and Borders network in response to the withdrawal of Class 175 trains from service for repairs following a number of engine fires.

Transport for Wales restored train services to the Borderlands Line in April 2023 by bringing new Class 230 trains into service. The new trains are refurbished London Underground stock and are yet to perform to their full potential, with services not yet running on time and experiencing a number of “teething” issues.

Growth Track 360 (GT360) Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “Growth Track 360’s focus is to improve future rail services by seeking new investment in the rail infrastructure of North Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral. Local concerns about services on the Wrexham to Bidston Line required GT360 to make representations to the Welsh Government to improve the operation of existing services on the Borderlands Line. Poor service delivery and delays to the introduction of a long-promised half hourly service saw a steady erosion of passenger confidence in the service.

"The Minister, Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change in the Welsh Government has responded. Along with the senior management of Transport for Wales, the Train Operator, he has apologised for poor services on the line and sponsored the development of an improvement plan.

"Credit is due to the Minister for his intervention and to the senior staff in Transport for Wales for entering into a constructive dialogue with local stakeholders to improve services. GT360 expects that the drivers, engineers and guards working the new Class230 trains are equally engaged in the process of improvement.

"The Borderlands Line has great potential to link three major employment zones and provide good access from Wrexham and Flintshire to Liverpool by public transport. The Minister, Transport for Wales and local stakeholders are all committed to work together to deliver reliable, improved services that will help drive passenger and economic growth.”

Growth Track 360 Vice Chair and Leader of Flintshire Council, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “I welcome the commitment of Transport for Wales to restore train services which run to time by: -

• Resolving outstanding technical issues with the new Class 230 trains
• Dedicating the Class 230 fleet to the Borderlands Line
• Working with drivers, guards and maintenance staff to operate the new Class 230 stock to their full capability

"When Transport for Wales have restored hourly trains that run on time, they will introduce a new, hourly limited stop service which, with the existing hourly service, will offer half hourly services and accommodate freight services on the Line.

Transport for Wales has also committed to improve: -

• Information services for passengers
• The availability of ticket purchase options
• The management of Rail Replacement Bus Services, which they pledge to keep to a minimum, as they do not suit the line and the local road network

These commitments are a platform for restoring confidence in the ability of Transport for Wales to improve services in the future."

Ashley Rogers, Chief Executive of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council said: “Performance on the Borderlands Line, measured by punctuality and cancellations, significantly underperforms average performance for both Transport for Wales and UK. The recognition that services have not been good enough enables close collaborative working between the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and local stakeholders to improve services.

"It is really encouraging to see that the Minister wishes to involve local stakeholders in monitoring progress on the line. Growth Track 360 has proposed performance measures and timescales for improvement and looks forward to working with the Minister to help deliver an improved Borderlands service for all passengers and our communities.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet endorsed the borough’s local Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy at today’s (11 July) meeting.

The Council has developed a draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy (EVCI) in response to the Climate Emergency declaration and Air Quality Management Plan.

The EVCI Strategy covers the Council’s approach to supporting the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, including for public use, for Council fleet and at Council workplaces.

The Strategy sets out several ambitious targets for the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including a target to be a regional leader in terms of charge points per 100,000 population by 2025, and a national leader by 2030. The Council is on track to achieving the 2025 target, maintaining this position will require a significant increase in charge point provision.

The strategy also supports the Council’s application to the Office of Zero Emission Vehicle’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. The LEVI fund aims to deliver a step-change in the deployment of local on-street charging infrastructure. The Council has been assigned a provisional allocation of £2,049,000 from this fund, and an expression of interest was submitted in May 2023. If successful, a full business case will be submitted by November 2023. The funding would be awarded 2023/24. The funding will allow the council to leverage significant private sector investment to facilitate rapid expansion of the borough’s public charging infrastructure network.

A six-week public consultation on the draft version took place between 1 February and 15 March 2023. Responses showed a high degree of support for the policies set out in the strategy, both from those who already drive electric vehicles and those who do not.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Transport said: “There were over 200 responses to the consultation earlier this year. 70 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the aims of this strategy. Most respondents (53.9 per cent) considered that the Electric

Vehicle Charging Infrastructure will have a positive impact upon them.

“Our consultation showed that the ability to charge at home or away from home were the two most important factors to those considering whether to buy an electric vehicle and at present most respondents did not consider our existing charging infrastructure to be sufficient to meet existing demand.

“The Strategy has 14 main policies including only supporting installations which do not cause an obstruction or disruption to other users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.”

Transport is the second highest contributing sector to carbon emissions within the borough, making decarbonisation of transport critical to addressing the climate emergency.

The Council’s Climate Change Response Plan (CERP) sets out several requirements to address this, including reducing the need to travel, increasing use of sustainable modes, and transitioning to zero emission vehicles. Decarbonising transport also brings co-benefits for local air quality, public health and economic growth.

This month is Plastic Free July, an annual campaign organised by the charity Plastic Free Foundation Ltd to encourage people to be part of the plastic pollution solution and help reduce plastic waste. Whether it’s making small steps to reduce plastic use or going entirely plastic free, we can all make a difference.

If you haven’t already started Plastic Free July, that’s okay. We have a some tips to help you get underway and move towards being plastic-free.:

Use reusable bottles and cups – take your own reusable water bottle or coffee cup when you’re out and about. You could also join the new Cheshire Cup scheme, a local reusable coffee cup project set up by Eco Communities with the support of the Council.

Reusable shopping bags – remember to take along your reusable bag when you are out shopping to avoid having to purchase an additional plastic bag.

Avoid buying plastic packaging – instead of buying food with excessive plastic packaging, you could go to the greengrocers or a butcher with your own containers, or select loose fruit and vegetables at the supermarket.

Buy reusable decorations – if you’re hosting a party, choose decorations that can be reused, such as bunting, pom poms, lanterns, and banners.

Reusable plastic tubs – use covered dishes and reusable plastic tubs for leftovers rather than using clingfilm.

Switch from bin bags to newspaper – lining your food caddy with newspaper can be a great plastic-free alternative to bin bags and plastic bags. Top tip: add coffee grounds to help with the smell and flies. Friends of the Earth have some useful tips on keeping your food caddy clean and smelling its best in this online article.

Use plastic-free cleaning alternatives – assess your current cleaning products and see if you can find plastic-free alternatives. You could also make your own using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This article provides some advice on how best to use these household items for cleaning.

Swap liquid soap for bars of soap – liquid soap typically has much more plastic packaging than bars of soap. Cut down on excessive plastic by purchasing solid soap with minimal packaging.

Find out more about how you can get involved with Plastic Free July.

If you have any of your own tips or a story you’d like to share about cutting down your use of plastics please upload it to the ‘Your Stories’ section of the Climate Emergency Inspire hub.

Sustainable transport, sometimes known as green transport, is any form of transport that has no or a low climate impact. Most sustainable transport relies on renewable or regenerated energy, or on personal effort such as walking, wheeling or cycling.

The transport sector has a critical role to play in achieving the goal set out in the Paris Climate Agreement, to keep global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Transport accounts for a higher share of overall UK greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector of the economy.

To help you play your part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we’ve put together some top travel tips for traveling more sustainably.

Cycle, wheel or walk short distances: Walking, wheeling and cycling are great, low-impact cardio exercises. Getting out on foot or on a cycle is positive for your physical and mental health, avoids frustrating traffic jams, and is great for the environment. There are some suggested cycle routes on the following links.

• itravelsmart website – for maps for Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Winsford, Neston, and Helsby & Frodsham
• Cycling in Northwich - Visit Northwich
• Cycling in Cheshire | Cheshire Cycle Routes (visitcheshire.com)

If you want to gain confidence cycling around the area the Chester Cycling Campaign have set up a Chester Cycle Buddy scheme where an experience cyclist will join you on a ride and give you some tips and advice.

Choose public transport: The borough’s £2 bus fare is a great way to save money while saving the environment. Taking a train or bus means fewer cars on the road, no parking costs, and time to catch up on some reading. Plus, trains can often be quicker for longer journeys, and bus lanes mean you are less likely to be sat in a queue. Visit Traveline for timetable information for any bus, rail or coach service serving Cheshire and Warrington.

Hop on an electric scooter to get around Chester: If you are over 18 and visiting Chester this summer you could hire an e-scooter to get across the city. There are over 170 e-scooters available for hire from 49 dockless parking locations in Chester. The pay-as-you-go e-scooters are hired via the Ginger Shared Transport App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It costs £2.20 per 20 mins to ride and 50p per 10 mins to pause. Find out more information on the Ginger website.

If you have to drive, drive smarter: Having the correct air pressure in your tyres gives better mileage, cheaper maintenance and a smaller environmental impact. Braking less harshly can also be a great way of reducing pollution. Alternatively, car sharing can massively reduce your climate impact. The Energy Saving Trust has a good guide on driving more efficiently.

Make travel part of your Holiday: Could you get to your destination by train, boat or car instead of taking a flight which usually has higher emissions? A journey from London to Madrid for example would emit 43kg of CO2 per passenger by train, but 118kg by plane, according to EcoPassenger.

It is also worth considering if your journey is necessary. Perhaps you could look at alternative places to visit or ways to shop in your local area.

Also, consider the carbon footprint of having items shipped to your home. Could you collect a takeaway for example rather than getting it delivered?

Sources:

How Bad are Bannanas? Mike Berners-Lee

www.ecopassenger.org Ecopassenger

https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/hard-braking/ Repair Smith

theccc.org.uk The Committee on Climate Change

wwf.org.uk The World Wildlife Fund for Nature

unfccc.int United Nations Climate Change

www.visitengland.com Visit England

Every effort has been made to that ensure the information used in all climate emergency articles is accurate. All information used to inform the articles has been taken from reputable sources and those sources are given at the end of each article.

We are aware, however, that data will change over time and that some information across the internet and printed matters can be contradictory. If you have any questions or comments about any articles please submit them below the article.

The Mersey Forest is encouraging farmers and landowners to get in touch if they have suitable land for tree planting ahead of the next planting season.

This year, The Mersey Forest has supported a number of local farmers to introduce trees to their land, funded through the national Trees for Climate programme.

A dairy stock farm in Macclesfield is one local farm that has been supported by The Mersey Forest team and farm advisors, ELM Associates, to planted over 8,000 trees and shrubs on less productive land.

Owner, David Heath, explains how the new planting links to existing woodland in the area: "We've tried to fill in the gaps. One woodland is very old, another I planted in the 1980s and now I've planted these three young woodlands surrounding them. With multiple aged trees, it'll be interesting to see if there'll be a real variety of animals and plants coming through."

A dynamic hedgerow, which contains a higher variety of species tailored to maximise period of flowering and fruiting for wildlife, has also been planted.

Made up of over thousands of trees and shrubs and measuring 450 metres long, it will provide quality habitats for local wildlife. David added: "Hopefully it will attract birds and insects, providing a good corridor for wildlife and should provide a real feature, not only for me, but also for the wider community passing by."

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, explains: “Tree planting can be beneficial to both land and business, offering shelter and shade for livestock, helping to manage water flow and soil erosion, improving soil quality, and attracting pollinators and other wildlife to your land.

“Our experienced team provide landowners with design, planning and planting advice and the grant covers up to 100% of planting costs, plus ongoing funding to support the maintenance of the trees.”

If you have land suitable for tree planting, now’s the time to contact us for the next planting season (October to March). Call us on 01925 816217 or email mail@merseyforest.org.uk.

Find out more about The Mersey Forest’s work by visiting our website: www.merseyforest.org.uk/planttrees

West Cheshire Museums’ ‘Festival for the Future – the Big Sustainability Festival’, is a month of eco-storytelling, circus performances, sustainability talks, a clothes swap, craft fair, and an art exhibition exploring the future of climate change.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “The Big Sustainability Festival returns for a second year and once again has an exciting programme of events and activities spread out through July in Chester, Northwich and Farndon.

“The festival starts in Chester on 8 July with something for everyone, from fossils to fashion. The activities move to the Stretton Watermill on 15 July exploring how hydropower was used to mill flour and ‘Sketch and Explore’ nature journalling workshops, where visitors can relax with a sketch pad and have a go at drawing and documenting the wildlife around them. The Lion Salt Works in Northwich closes the festival on 22 July welcoming back Barnton Circus and their acrobatic skills, plus facepainting an eco-storyteller and forest school.”

Chester’s Grosvenor Museum
8 July, 10.30am to 5pm

• Clothes swap, trade your pre-loved clothing for new and exciting pieces
• Learn about real fossils from the museum’s collection (and perhaps even hold the dinosaur egg)
• ‘Ask a Dinosaur Expert’, an open Q&A with palaeontologists, where visitors can ask all their burning questions (1pm to 1.30pm)
• Drop-in art workshops for all ages, exploring climate change and sustainability in Chester
• A fossil dig, forage for real fossils to identify and take home
• A ROARsome dinosaur trail around the museum
• Free talks on environmental issues, including ‘Sustainable Cities’ (James McKay, University of Leeds). James is a science illustrator who uses art to explore what a sustainable future might look like in the year 2500 (2pm to 2.30pm). Plus, learn about Slow (sustainable) Fashion and have a go at patching with Friends of the Earth.
• An exhibition in the museum’s upstairs gallery, exploring how climates have changed since the beginning of time and imagining where it might lead in the future

Stretton Water Mill, near Farndon
15 July, 10.30am to 5pm

• Workshops, explore hydropower plus ‘Sketch and Explore’ nature journalling workshops. Tours of the Mill (small additional charge).

Lion Salt Works Museum, Ollershaw Lane, Northwich
22 July, 10.30am to 5pm

• Barnton Circus
• Workshops
• Eco-storyteller
• Face painting
• Forest school activities
  
  

All activities are free and not dependent on entry costs to the museums (where applicable). For further information, go to www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk