A LOCAL environmental group has raised concerns following the Supreme Court ruling that pollution in Britain is in breach of EU standards.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the levels of nitrogen dioxide in parts of Britain have been in breach of EU limits since 2010.
Nitrogen dioxide is a byproduct of diesel vehicles and can cause breathing difficulties in older people and those with conditions such as asthma. It can also stunt the proper growth of lung function in children.
Local group The Air That We Breathe Network was originally set up to address concerns about pollution from the now-defunct cement works in Westbury. But they also campaigned over pollution from the A350 which runs through the centre of Westbury.
Now they say the road – the busiest in Wiltshire apart from the M4 – may be even more harmful than was previously thought.
It follows news that the government has been ordered to make plans for tackling the UK’s air pollution problem, or they risk fines from Brussels. On Wednesday 29th April, five judges unanimously ruled in favour of the challenging group, ClientEarth, and said the next environment secretary must draw up a plan to meet the EU rules by the end of 2015.
Air That We Breathe chairman David Levy said, “The Air That We Breathe Network evolved from a public disquiet about what was emitted from the Westbury Blue Circle/Lafarge chimney and having that combine with the traffic emissions that polluted the centre of Westbury from the A350.
“Everyone concerned had health worries about known chemicals, gases and particulates affecting the vulnerable, the old, the young developing and the people with heart and lung dysfunction. It was a recipe for worried concern. Six years ago the chimney closed for good.
“Recently the Supreme Court ruled that nitrogen dioxide levels in UK towns were exceeding health safety levels, probably down to government promotion of diesel for the tax revenue it brought in.
“Some who are as old as me remember diesel being significantly cheaper than petrol. The diesel engine is filthier than a petrol one, it kicks out high levels of nitrous oxides and contaminated particles.
“People of Westbury have to decide whether they are part of the problem or could they reach a conclusion as to where traffic should go rather than through a town centre which often has toddlers in pushchairs alongside lorries and their exhausts.
“The law may accelerate this decision process and certainly we have to look forward to the times when the internal combustion engine is replaced by hydrogen fuelled cars.
“Meanwhile, diesel engines must be ditched. Wiltshire Council can lead by example by scrapping all council diesel cars across the board, including all hire vehicles.”
Diesel car sales overtook petrol ones in 2010 and now account for a third of the UK fleet, partly because of favourable taxation.
Traffic in Westbury’s town centre has been an inflammatory issue for years because the main road is a primary route which connects the M4 at Chippenham to Poole in Dorset. A traffic survey carried out last year saw 44,163 vehicles pass through Westbury during a single week in June.
NGO ClientEarth, who presented the legal challenge to the government, over nitrogen dioxide say the ruling will save lives cut prematurely short by air pollution.
ClientEarth lawyer Alan Andrews said, “Air pollution kills tens of thousands of people in this country every year. We brought our case because we have a right to breathe clean air and today the Supreme Court has upheld that right.
“This ruling will benefit everyone’s health but particularly children, older people and those with existing health conditions like asthma and heart and lung conditions.
“The next Government, regardless of the political party or parties which take power, is now legally bound to take urgent action on this public health crisis. Before next week’s election all political parties need to make a clear commitment to policies which will deliver clean air and protect our health.”
