A councillor is calling for more to be done on air quality in his constituency.
Cllr Russell Whiting, who represents the Colwick ward on Gedling Borough Council, revealed that the latest figures show levels of nitrogen dioxide are currently more than three times over the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline limits in the area.
Speaking at Gedling Borough Council’s meeting last night (20) Cllr Whiting bemoaned the lack of action from Nottinghamshire County Council, and called for a united approach from everyone involved to bring levels down.
WHO recommends maximum Nitrogen Dioxide levels of 10 micrograms per cubic metre, but in Colwick the figure is regularly three times that and in two months last year even breached UK Government levels of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
Cllr Whiting said after the meeting: “Air quality affects everyone and poor air quality especially harms our most vulnerable neighbours. Research shows that it can harm the development of children’s brains and lungs, while the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are also impacted.
“It is not good enough for the government to be happy with such high levels of air pollution. I am pleased that Gedling Borough Council is taking action, but we need Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the owners of the Colwick Industrial Estate to work alongside Gedling Borough Council to bring these numbers down.”
WHO data shows that almost all of the global population (99%) breathe air that exceeds their guideline limits and contains high levels of pollutants.
They said:”The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution is associated with seven million premature deaths annually.”
Thank you, Cllr Whiting! I totally agree. Cheap, effective public transport will surely help, and in my opinion the incinerator needs to go. We are all breathing in the fumes from everything that goes into peoples black bins. Yuckkk….
Thank you so much for highlighting this Cllr Whiting! There are many of us in Colwick with pre-existing health conditions, and better air quality will help us all live happier, healthier, longer lives. I’m very proud that you are our councillor!
I totally agree that clean air is extremely important…
Maybe use a space in your flyers to remind people, not just of Colwick, that ENGINE IDLING IS AN OFFENCE with a fine, initially, of £40.
So many people sit in their car, especially on supermarket car parks, idling their engine to keep heating on and or keep air con going…
Air pollution and household air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually…