Traffic pollution over the safe limit, claims research

It has been called the silent killer. We are all under attack every day to some degree, we just don’t know it.

Pollution is responsible for 40,000 premature deaths a year nationally, according to the Committee on the Medical Effect of Air Pollutants, shortening its vic- tims’ lives by an average of 11.5 years. Yet pollution on the road that leads to Maidstone Hospital could be up to 38% higher than safe levels, according to research just published.

Pollution has long been of concern to residents along Hermitage Lane in Maidstone – an area that’s been subjected to unprecedented levels of building due to planning permissions granted by both Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling borough councils.

The North Allington Action Group (NAAG) was so concerned it commissioned a pollution survey. The group decided to measure the level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – which can lead to irritation of the lungs, increased chance of respiratory infection, lung disease, an increase in asthma and chronic bronchitis – and set up five pollution monitors at points along the road.

It collected samples over a fortnight to find the average level of pollution and sent the results off for laboratory analysis by Gradko Environmental.

The five places were the A20 junction by the new mini retail park, Barming railway station, opposite the quarry entrance, near the Tesco traffic lights and by the Duke of Edinburgh Pub at the junction with St Andrew’s Road. The EU has set annual safe levels, but in the NAAG survey, all five monitors showed results which when extrapolated to a full year would exceed the safe level – one by more than 38%.

NAAG said in a 72-page report the results showed an urgent need for action and called for Hermitage Lane to be declared an air quality management area.

They want to see roundabouts replace traffic lights, which cause cars to remain static with the engines running.

NAAG is also calling for electric charging points to be fitted on all new homes to promote the buying of eco-friendly vehicles.

Barbara Woodward, secretary of NAAG, said: “Development along Hermitage Lane can only increase an already serious problem and consideration must be given by Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling councils whether further developments should be allowed.”