THURROCK Council is poised to approve a new joint air quality strategy for Essex in a move officials say will strengthen efforts to tackle pollution across the borough and improve residents' health.

Cabinet members will be asked tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 March) to formally adopt the All-Essex Air Quality Strategy, developed collaboratively by Essex County Council, Southend Council and Thurrock. Details are in a report to cabinet which can be read here.

The strategy includes a county-wide Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), fulfilling the council's legal requirement to publish an updated plan after Thurrock's previous one expired.

In the report Air quality officer Peter Bond says the joint approach will streamline statutory air quality management while improving the borough's chances of securing external funding, such as from the Defra Air Quality Fund — something Thurrock has historically struggled to access on its own.

Under the Environment Act 2021, councils must monitor air quality and declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) where pollution breaches national limits.

Thurrock currently has 18 such areas. The new county-wide AQAP sets out a broad suite of actions designed to help all Essex authorities address pollution hotspots and prevent further deterioration.

The strategy centres on four key themes: using council powers to improve local air quality; reducing the impact of new developments and transport schemes; expanding partnership work; and improving public awareness, including around indoor pollution.

While the strategy outlines shared priorities, the recommended actions are described as 'deliberately flexible to allow each council to tailor them to local needs'.

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A public consultation held early last year drew 64 responses from Thurrock residents — around 12 per cent of the total Essex-wide feedback.

The majority supported the strategy and raised concerns about issues including new housing developments, idling vehicles and public transport provision.

Council officers say adopting a single strategy across Essex would also allow for more effective cross boundary work, noting that up to half of Thurrock's air pollution comes from background sources outside the borough.

Thurrock residents have suffered increasingly poor air quality in recent years as industry has grown in the borough.

Thurrock Council previously committed to setting up a dedicated hotline for Tilbury residents to report issues linked to dust pollution in the town, following years of complaints and growing health concerns.

That commitment was reinforced in October last year when Michael Dineen, assistant director for community protection and enforcement services, said the council was taking "immediate steps" to set it up.

Six months later it is still not live. Craig Austin, chair of Tilbury Community Forum where the issue of dust in the town is regularly discussed, said: "It is disappointing that the council promised action but have not delivered. Looking at this proposal you have to wonder if the commitment for action being kicked somewhere else."