Clouded Lib Dem view on air quality
Sports editor Political editor Supplements editor Air quality is a hot topic nationally and has stirred local feeling regarding traffic congestion and the consequential impact on public health.
While I applaud the endeavours of Cllr James Willis to help us “get on our bikes” to improve both air quality and well-being, I find his comment that the Lib Dem leadership “has refused to accept the timid approach the council has so far taken to producing any plans to deal with air pollution” a little disingenuous.
At recent planning committee meetings, I have raised the detrimental impacts of air quality, particularly at the Wheatsheaf junction, where air quality exceeds EU limits by more than 50%.
This will be further exacerbated by developments on Sutton Road and others relying on the A274/ A229 corridors and converge at that junction.
On August 25, when considering an application on Sutton Road, a motion was moved to defer the decision Business editor What’s On reporter pending an updated air quality assessment taking into account the cumulative effects of this and other developments to which the council was already committed.
This motion was narrowly defeated by one vote, with the Lib Dems united in being against.
They were content, instead, to approve another large development as long as their prerequisites of kentonline editor kentonline news editor “street scene” and “wildlife corridors” were satisfied.
I know the planning committee does not, and should not, carry any political bias, but the actions were not reflective of Cllr Willis’s view of his party and leadership.
This issue clearly needs full and proper consideration. Cllr Shellina Prendergast (Con) Headcorn ward