Action Needed On Air Quality Hot Spots

Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner Michael Headley has reacted to reports from the Borough Council that 3 locations in the Borough have measured nitrogen dioxide levels above government standard levels.

Michael Headley said: "These are very disturbing results. All the areas identified are either residential or see large numbers of people in close proximity to the roads. These results underline how important the by-pass is for Great Barford - thankfully now under construction - and the need for a western by-pass for Bedford. Beyond that action must be taken by the councils to reduce the traffic numbers and congestion around the town centre. There must be joint action from the County Council who are responsible for transport and the Borough Council who are responsible for the air quality. They need to ensure that planned changes to the town centre roads don't make the problem even worse at these locations or move the problem to elsewhere. This needs to be an early part of the planning process not an after thought."

Michael Headley added

"The Council must now declare Air Quality Management Areas for these locations, continue to measure the pollution levels and work up plans to improve air quality. Local people want action to tackle this problem. Rather than the slightly rough and ready diffusion tube measurements we probably need better automatic monitors and the measurements from these can be put on the Council's web site so people can see in real time what's going on rather than being told at the end of the year."

The report to the General Purposes Committee identify Great Barford, Prebend St and The High Street as the areas of concern.

ENDS

Contact: Michael Headley 01234 409819

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