Environment Plan - Improving Our Environment

The vision is to create a healthier, cleaner, more sustainable environment in Penrith by reducing pollution through an achievable set of actions.

The plan will address air pollution, light pollution, the pollution of rivers and watercourses and waste and recycling.

A Plan to Combat Air Pollution                              

To reduce air pollution in Penrith, we will implement 5 key strategies:

1. Raise public awareness and increase community engagement
2. Promote the use of public transport and walking and cycling routes
3. Improve and enhance green spaces
4. Minimise the burning of fossil fuels
5. Lobby for and support regulation and legislation

The Penrith Town Council will implement the following actions to minimise air pollution.

Raise Public Awareness by:

• Providing information about air quality, pollution prevention, and health impacts on actions that residents can take to help improve the quality of the environment.

• Organising community clean-up events to remove litter and debris from public spaces.
• Providing accurate information on electric and hybrid vehicles.

Promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling routes by:

• Working with partners to support the development of an efficient and accessible public transportation network to reduce the reliance on personal vehicles.
• Promoting cycling lanes, pedestrian paths, and other infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling as alternative modes of transportation.

Improve and enhance green spaces by:

• Advocating for the planting of trees and the creation of green spaces in the town.
• Actively seeking to have devolved responsibility from Westmorland & Furness Council for more parks and green spaces to ensure appropriate maintenance and development

Minimise the burning of fossil fuels by encouraging the community to:

• Conserve Energy by using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, turn off lights, devices and electronics when not needed.
• Work with partners to develop EV fast charging infrastructure.

Lobby for and support regulation and legislation

The Council will seek to influence, lobby and campaign to achieve actions to help improve air quality.

A Plan to Combat Light Pollution                           

Reducing light pollution in the town requires a combination of community efforts, policy changes, and individual actions. The Penrith Town Council will implement the following actions to minimise light pollution in our town.

• Providing information on measures that reduce outdoor lighting pollution to ensure minimisation of impact on the night sky.
• Engaging with local government to prioritise the reduction of light pollution in town planning and development projects.
• Supporting efforts to preserve areas with minimal light pollution.
• Working with other agencies to ensure the planting of trees and other vegetation to act as natural light barriers.
• Raising awareness by providing information on the impacts of light pollution and the benefits of reducing it.
• Encouraging the use of timers or motion sensors for outdoor lighting so that lights are only on when needed.

A Plan for Waste & Recycling                                

Improving council waste management involves strategic planning, community engagement, infrastructure development, and policy implementation. The Penrith Town Council will implement the following actions.

• Providing information on recycling, composting, and the importance of reducing waste. (Reduce, reuse, recycle leaflet)
• Engaging with Westmorland and Furness Council when the waste and recycling services are being reviewed.
• Encouraging composting at the household level
• Implementing green procurement policies that prioritise products with minimal packaging and recyclable materials.
• Investigating options for the additional provision of recycling facilities.

A Plan for Rivers and Water Courses                 

In taking the actions outlined below, individuals and communities can play a key role in preserving and protecting local rivers and watercourses from the harmful effects of pollution. The Penrith Town Council will implement the following actions to minimise water pollution in our town.

• Providing information on the causes and impact of pollutants on water quality.
• Providing educational materials/events for schools and community spaces to promote responsible water practices.
• Reporting any observed pollution incidents to local environmental authorities.
• Working with other agencies, local councils and educational institutions on the development of local policies to protect water quality.