Clean Air Zone ignores our views

DEAR Editor, Councillor Waseem Zaffar’s article in last week’s Post attacking Mayor Andy Street’s attitude towards the proposed Clean Air Zone was lacking in one important fact : not a single mention about the outcome of the recent “consultation” exercise on the merit or otherwise of the proposal. This of course is not untypical.

Not long ago Northfield/Longbridge residents had the opportunity to take part in a “consultation” process in connection with the council’s local connectivity plan.

We studied the proposed traffic plans and endeavoured to offer our constructive thoughts on road closures, and other related issues. As far as I am aware this was merely a paper exercise to demonstrate community input, for nothing we suggested was acted upon.

We all left our names and addresses on the forms provided but nothing further was heard from those responsible for staging the consultation. The original proposal is being carried out seemingly ignoring any community observations.

Cllr Zaffar, responsible for transport and the environment, seems intent upon embracing the same cavalier approach. Say what you like but you are going to get it anyway.

Andy Street has real reservations about shifting pollution from one area to another, as we all do and as thousands in response to the “consultation” made quite clear.

Few will deny that we need to tackle air pollution but it has to be done progressively, minimising the effect upon jobs and the city’s economy.

Blocking off trunk roads like the A38 and diverting non-compliant traffic onto already congested roads might tick a few boxes but it is no substitute for a properly thought through city-wide clean air policy.

Before Cllr Zaffar criticises the mayor he