This month’s meeting of the council’s Executive considered a wide range of reports, including those that will improve the health, wellbeing and safety of the community of Warwick district.

Ultra-Low Emissions Bus Scheme

Executive approved a bid to the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles to bring an electric bus route into the district.  This exciting project will see the first opportunity charging installation in the whole of the UK.

Councillor Andrew Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Protection comments:

“The Health and Community Protection Team at Warwick District Council look for ways to improve air quality in our district. Transport is the biggest contributor to Nitrogen Oxides, so any opportunities to reduce the impact vehicles have on air quality are prioritised. We have worked with Warwickshire County Council, Volvo, and Stagecoach to submit a bid for funding from the Governmental Office of Low Emission Vehicles.

"This funding would be used to introduce electric buses into the district. Initially a number of electric buses would serve the No.67 bus route, which travels throughout Leamington Spa, improving air quality across the whole town. This particular route travels up and down the Parade and Bath Street which is an air quality management area, which we are aiming to improve."

Upgrade for CCTV Service

An upgrade to the current CCTV service was also approved.

Councillor Andrew Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Health and Community Protection comments:

“Warwick District benefits from an outstanding CCTV service delivered by Warwick District Council. This service offers reassurance to residents, visitors and businesses; supporting crime reduction, arrests and even saving lives, as a result of identifying people with welfare concerns. 

As an early adopter of CCTV, our analogue equipment is now relatively old, with replacement parts or software upgrades not easy to get hold of.  This means it costs more and uses more energy than modern digital technology would require to run the service. I’m delighted that the Council has agreed this investment into the CCTV service, which will provide an upgraded, modern, digital system for the residents to benefit from for many more years to come.”