How You can make a Difference
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Improving Air Quality - Why?
95% of local air quality problems are caused by emissions from road use. Unfortunatley whilst the Government continues to impose more stringent controls over fuel quality and vehicle emissions and whilst industry will continue to be regulated by ever tougher pollution control legislation, all this together will not be enough to secure acceptable air quality nationally in the immediate future. Pollution hot spots have been identified and with the increasing rise in vehcile numbers it is likely that more hot spots could develop in the future.
Local authorities are obliged to do everything in thier power to ensure that the air quality is improved in the hot spot areas. Unfortuanlty the measures required may be unpopular with various stakeholders including local businesses and road users. It is therefore essential that the public be well informed about why such measures are necessary and also what they themselves can do. If we all work togther to improve air quality then only the least disruptive and least costly measures will be required to make sure that the National Air Quality Standards are met and thus so that the public are protected.
Improving Air Quality - How?
Consider walking or cycling if the journey is only a short one. Remember your car is least efficient during the first few minutes of use and may not have sufficinetly warmed up by the time you reach your destination. This is not only bad in terms of the pollution generated but continued short journeys will increrase engine component wear. Walking and cycling are also excellent ways to keep healthy.
The Council is pioneering Walking Busses at the moment for several schools in the area. This a great alternative to the school run by car since the children enjoy the social interaction of being with other children. The parents are happy in the knowledge that the children are being looked after by a responsible adult whilst benefiting from walking as opposed to a car journey. Reducing the school run traffic will have a significant effect on the peak hour congestion and thus on air quality.
Bus rides are often a lot cheaper than the combined price of petrol and car parking.
- Purchase a cleaner vehicle
Newer cars are often much cleaner than older cars in terms of the pollutants they emit. Also cars with small engines are also much cleaner and more economical than the larger cars. There are also grants available to help people to purchase cleaner alternative fuel powered vehicles or to have them converted to run on them including LPG (liquid petroleum gas). It pays to think carefully about the car you drive as there are both financial and environmental savings to be made.
A well maintained ten year old car can give off fewer emissions than a poorly maintained four year old car. Make sure your car is regularly serviced and any problems are quickly rectified. This is very important for safety reasons as well and will help to give peace of mind when driving your car.
- Discuss environmental issues with your employer
Many employers are realising the benefits of considering environmental issues including air quality. Green travel plans, alternative powered vehicles and provision of cycling facilities are just three ways that empoyers can help to reduce their impacts on air quality, make a financial saving and to help sustain a healthy work force.
Many companies will now have some form of commitment to reduce their impacts on the environment. Find out what this is, how far it extends and whether it is likley to make a difference to air quality in the area. Is the company promoting the use of LPG vans for example? It may be possible for Companies to work with the Council to help improve their environmental performance.
The Commitment
The Council is committed to environmental improvement, are you? Find out what the Council is doing to help improve air quality:
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