Bromley residents have been given an extra two weeks to voice their thoughts on future plans to tackle air quality issues in the borough, following a council backflip on assertions it wouldn’t extend the consultation window.

Bromley Council announced on Monday it would be pushing out the deadline for responses on its Air Quality Action Plan, which will dictate what measures the authority takes to improve local air quality in the next five years, until Monday, August 10.

The backflip comes just days after the council’s executive member for environment and community services ruled out extending the consultation, amid community groups voicing concerns over a lack of promotion of the plans by the council.

Cllr William Huntington-Thresher said on Friday the council had “already received a number of comments and there is no doubt that local people do know about the consultation”, following enquiries from the local democracy reporting service.

However, the authority’s stance changed completely over the weekend – with Cllr Huntington-Thresher announcing the extension on Monday morning.

 

“We have already had a pleasing number of responses to the consultation which we welcome and if anyone has not yet responded, there is still time should they wish,” he said Monday.

“The air quality data shows that Bromley’s air quality has improved year on year since 2010 which is positive but we want to address concerns where we can, with the draft plan setting out further air quality improvements.”

“I would like to thank everyone who has already responded to the consultation.  We have no wish to delay the implementation of this proposed programme and are firmly focussed on agreeing the plan and moving forwards with the actions.”

The Orpington ward member had previously waved away suggestions the council had deliberately neglected the promotion of the document, although there had been no reference to the consultation on either the council’s Twitter or Facebook pages since it opened in June before Monday’s press release.

Those wishing to have their say on the plans can do so until Monday by visiting the council’s consultation portal here