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Greens claim that Exeter has illegal levels of air pollution

Exeter Green Party survey says more areas than council admits to are illegal

The Green Party commissioned nitrogen dioxide monitoring across Exeter during January at sites not currently measured by the city council’s own tests. They say most sites were identified by residents concerned by the risk of air pollution in the area.

Exeter City Council’s recent tests showed that areas around East Wonford Hill, Salutary Mount (Heavitree), Honiton Road (Heavitree), Livery Dole (Heavitree), Pinhoe Road/Blackboy Road and Alphington Street have areas have nitrogen dioxide levels higher than the legal limit of 40 mg/m3.

The council is currently consultating on a draft air quality action plan management plan which contains proposals to reduce exposure to air pollution and improve health and quality of life.

Councillor Rosie Denham, lead councillor for City Transformation, Energy and Transport, speaking at a consultation event at the Guidhall in Exeter, had said that the council is committed to becoming congestion-free by 2025 and they want to improve air quality in the city. 

“We know that air quality in the city is generally good but there are those hotspots where it is poor," she said." The best data that we have suggests that over 40 people a year do die as a consequence of poor air quality – and that doesn’t include those who are affected by poor air quality as well.

“The AQAP needs to be in place as soon as possible, so we will be looking to implement it over the next few years. There are some quick wins in there and some that will take a while to achieve, but we are committed to this.”

The consultation is proposed to run until 12 May and depending upon comments received, the finalised AQAP is expected to be adopted by the council in September 2018, following further scrutiny by both the city council and the county council.

Results from Exeter Green Party’s NO2 monitoring tubes

 

All results from measurements taken during January 2018 except where marked *

 

40 mg/m3   of nitrogen dioxide is illegal

 

Location

mg/m3*

Heavitree Road Opposite Bus Stop/ Exeter Physio

40.58

Topsham Road Opposite Deaf School, corner of Matford Lane (below St Leonards Primary School

38.33

Alphington Road/Sydney Road junction

37.49

Lower Coombe Street / Western Way junction

36.13

Okehampton Road, just below Redhills / Buddle Lane traffic lights

35.81

Church Road Alphington, near New Inn Pub*

34.5

Bus Stop on Church Road, Alphington just up from Havills shop.

33.00

Queen Street Exeter, near Clock tower, outside fish and chip shop

31.75

Junction of Tudor Street & Bonhay Road Exeter, (near Fitness First)

28.79

Dan the Grocer’s Shop Magdelen Road near Mount Radford traffic lights

27.44

Cowick Lane, Bus Stop on West Exe School side, opposite Crabb Lane

21.64

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