News
Clean air campaign launched
Three local councils combined to launch the pilot clean air campaign in Henley on Monday, May 19. If successful it could be introduced into other parts of Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Henley Town Council are hoping to combat the effect of a probable 25 per cent increase in road traffic in Henley over the next twenty years.
People living and working in Henley are being urged to play their part in tackling increasing levels of air pollution in the town centre – caused mainly by the growth of traffic.
There are already 1,700 vehicles an hour passing over Henley Bridge at peak hours and over a 12-hour period during the day nearly 17,000 vehicles use Station Road and Reading Road.
Congestion in the town is leading to increased levels of air pollution, in particular of nitrogen dioxide. Representatives of all three councils launched the www.henleyairquality.com web site, plus a poster, banner and advertising campaign to increase awareness of ways that everyone can play a part in resolving the problem.
Individuals are being urged to think whether they can walk, cycle or use public transport instead of driving a car. Campaign literature points out that as well as helping maintain clean air this could also make people fitter and save them money.
Schools and business are being urged to follow the examples of Valley Road Primary School and Invesco, who have introduced travel plans as part of an environmentally friendly strategy.
Pollution levels in Henley have been monitored since 1997 and although levels are well within safe limits for short-term exposure they do, in some places, exceed the target level of exposure for people who live there.
The campaign launch was supported by Freddie Borg and Elliot McDonagh, who are pupils at Valley Road School in Henley, and Olympic hopeful rowers Tommy Burton and Charles Burkitt from Leander Club.
Tim Weymouth, Assistant Transport Planner for Oxfordshire County Council, said: “When you look at the forecasts for traffic growth over the coming years in Oxfordshire, including Henley, it is very sobering for a number of reasons. One of those is pollution. If people could think twice before hopping in to their cars, especially for short journeys, it would be a real help in terms of cutting back on congestion and the consequent air quality problems that can occur.”
David Dodds, cabinet member for the environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, commented: “We live and work in one of the most attractive parts of the country and it is important that everyone takes action now to make sure it remains that way. Although the campaign is centred on Henley the same principles are important throughout South Oxfordshire.”
Barry Wood, Henley Town councillor, added “Our campaign is not about compelling people to use their car less but is about suggesting to the people of Henley that there is another way of running their lives that will help them and help their children’s future on this planet. Put simply, it’s your lifestyle choice, their lives.”
