Last month was Clean Air Week.  We live in a predominantly rural county and might consider that air pollution  is not a local problem, but is this really the case?

Air pollution is a hidden environmental and health challenge.  The most common and hazardous pollutants from road transport are: 

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas that comes from combustion processes powering petrol and diesel vehicles. 

• Particulate matter (PM), small airborne particles released from tyres and brakes.

Air pollution contributes to 43,000 premature deaths each year in the UK.  In 2019, the European Heart Journal reported that toxic air is killing more people than tobacco smoking. As for Shropshire, there are several poor air ‘hotspots’ in the county:

• with Shrewsbury (Castle Hill area)

• and Bridgnorth (Pound St area) both having Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) due to having exceeded 40ug/m3 of NO2.

• The M54, A5, A41 and A49 are also major traffic routes through the county.

Recent works near the station in Shrewsbury are part of the council’s strategy to reduce NO2 in the area. There are also industrial and industrialised agricultural sites across the county.

What can we do to improve air quality?

1. Avoid driving into towns, especially at peak times. Use the park and ride for Shrewsbury and local bus and trains where you can, walk or cycle as an alternative.

2. Walk or cycle for shorter routes if you can.

3. Do not sit in your car and have the engine running (idling). Not only is this illegal (Highway Code rule 123) but it reduces the vehicle’s fuel economy, costs money, and creates pollution. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more emissions than stopping and restarting the engine does. Health risks from this air pollution, worsening conditions such as asthma, lung disease, and heart attacks. Air pollution is particularly harmful to children and the elderly.

4. Use this form and email proforma to report engine idling to Shropshire Council 

5. You can find more information on engine idling.

(data from Living Streets and Shropshire Council)