Fresh air news Two air quality zones in the borough which have been managed for their pollution levels over the last 20 years are to be lifted. The orders – that ran alongside the M1 corridor in Long Eaton and Sandiacre - can be revoked after a detailed assessment confirmed that nitrogen dioxide levels in both areas are now consistently and significantly below the national air quality objective. Levels have been falling over recent years, mainly due to the many improvement measures carried out to the M1 stretch, particularly around Junction 25. Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment, says: “This is welcome news, especially to those who have
lived in the two zones. Regular monitoring and much hard work with our partners has ensured this outcome. I can also assure residents that monitoring will remain in place to keep a check on pollution levels.” The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has supported the lifting of the orders. Across the borough, the council has a network of sites monitoring nitrogen dioxide emissions to ensure that they do not reach the national air quality objective levels. A total of 672 monitoring tubes are analysed each year as part of the council’s air quality monitoring programme.
Moving times Local people had registered for an affordable home through the Home Options Choice Based Lettings scheme. The homes include two, three and four-bedroomed houses as well as bungalows for people with physical disabilities.
Beauvale Drive/Church Steet, Ilkeston
A welcome 45 new affordable homes were completed in Ilkeston in 2021. Housing associations Tuntum/ NCHA and Platform as well as their partners faced the challenges of shortages, adverse weather conditions and delays caused by the pandemic. So it was cause for celebration when residents moved into their new homes at Beauvale Drive/ Church Street; Green Lane/ Concorde Close and Stratford Street North in the town.
Fifteen new flats and houses are also due to be completed this Spring by Futures Housing at Bath Street, Ilkeston. Erewash Borough Council has helped identify the type of homes most needed, suitable sites and provided additional funding where appropriate.
Stratford Street North, Ilkeston
Support is vital
Erewash Borough Council’s ongoing work to tackle rough sleeping continues to hit the mark. The council played a leading role to win funding for the Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands Rough Sleeping Partnership in 2019. One of the ways the council measures the level of rough sleeping is through an annual count, most recently carried out in November last year. There was nobody found to be sleeping rough in the borough during this count compared with 11 in 2019. Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Well Being, says: “We are well aware this does not mean that rough sleeping has been ended in Erewash - but it is very welcome news. “We are committed to continuing our work with all our partners to help those who find themselves sleeping on the streets or are at risk of doing so.” Across the Partnership area, the number of people sleeping rough is now less than a third of what it was two years ago, showing that the countywide services that Erewash was instrumental in setting up are having a real and positive effect on the lives of some of the most vulnerable residents. Anyone concerned about a rough sleeper can refer them into the P3 Derbyshire Outreach Team or call 0808 1968 199. Referrals can also be made through StreetLink. 17
