Environmental Partnership

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE - CLEAN & GREEN TRAFFORD

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Trafford is the borough of choice for so many people to live, learn, work and relax and the high quality environment is a fundamental factor in this aspiration. With excellent access to green space and natural habitats and neighbourhood and street-scene cleanliness the best in the North West it is not difficult to understand why.

We already have a thriving network of community volunteers and partners supporting the protection and development of Trafford’s green and open spaces, have achieved 11 Green Flag awards for our parks and our rates of household recycling are on the increase.

Despite all of this, there are inconsistencies across the Borough in terms of easy access to good quality greenspace, litter on the streets and air quality, plus, the overall amount of waste being produced is increasing, particularly in the business sector.

WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN 2021

By 2021, Trafford will have an excellent environment and everybody within the Borough’s community will take appropriate ownership and responsibility for helping Trafford to achieve a sustainable, global and local environment.

We will:

• Have equality in access to good quality, outdoor environments.
• Be delivering a Waste Strategy which adopts the principle of Zero Waste to landfill.
• Have available clean energy and be making significant steps towards a low carbon borough.
• Have significant improvements in Air Quality, tackling key hotspots through the application of air quality action plans.
• Have waterways that sustain diverse and healthy ecosystems, water sports and recreation.
• Have increased biodiversity through the protection and growth of species and habitats.

WHAT WE WILL DO TO GET THERE

Our long term strategy is focused on the following themes.

PRIORITIES FOR 2006-09

For the next three years up to 2009 our focus will be to:

• Clearly explain our goals to all Trafford Partnership theme groups and seek their support in achieving them.
• Develop and deliver a clear and focused education and awareness-raising programme, enabling everyone in Trafford to play their part in their community’s future. Including establishing baseline data for assessing the level of environmental awareness in Trafford.
• Create and implement a strategy for our public realms – our open space and the environment outside our homes, shops, workplaces and leisure venues that we come into contact with everyday.
• Fully adopt the Waste Strategy and champion it within the Trafford Partnership. With a focus on the full waste hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
• Adopt and effectively communicate Greater Manchester’s Green Revolution Strategy and Air Quality Strategy.
• Develop a policy and programme for tackling climate change in the Borough.
• Raise the strategic and political profile of the protection and growth of species and habitats in Trafford.

HOW YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE SUCCEEDING

Throughout Trafford we will:

• Be able to demonstrate that residents, businesses and visitors are all taking greater ownership and action on environmental issues.
• Be able to show that this action is resulting in:

• Cleaner, healthier air with fewer direct adverse health related impacts.
• The quality of Trafford’s waterways improving inline with the national targets of 91% being rated good or fair by 2007.
• 50% of waste being recycled and composted by 2021.
• A 30% reduction in the CO2 emissions that are the responsibility of the Trafford Partnership by 2021.
• People recognising continued improvement in the cleanliness, safety, quality and accessibility of all open space.
• The implementation of a coordinated action plan to enhance, manage and raise awareness of the value of habitats and species throughout Trafford.

If you wish to find out more about the work that is being undertaken in Trafford or get involved, please contact:

Graham Parry
Executive Director
Groundwork Manchester Salford and Trafford
Phoenix House
61 Spear Street
Manchester
M1 1DF