POOR air quality in Dunchurch is harming villagers’ quality of life, a councillor claimed after a report revealed higher than recommended nitrogen dioxide (N02) levels.
Rugby Borough Council’s Local Air Quality Management report for 2014 showed annual mean concentrations of N02 at a monitoring site next to the Dun Cow pub exceeded European Union standards by 16 per cent.
Independent county and borough Councillor Howard Roberts called for action to reduce the reading, and blamed building projects in and around the village for the N02 levels.
He said: “I am really very concerned that the crossroads in Dunchurch is currently experiencing high levels of a potentially very dangerous gaseous compound. Residents in Dunchurch view this area as the centre of our village, yet now we are being told it could be a health hazard to spend time here. I am very concerned that every time school children walk to school or the commuters wait for a bus they are inhaling pollutants without knowing the consequences.
“Not only is the current situation unacceptable but the problem will only be exacerbated by the proposed developments on Rugby Road, Ashlawn Road and Coventry Road. We must use this evidence to focus minds of the Conservative members of the planning committee who seem happy to wave through developments that are damaging our beautiful village.”
But Rugby Borough Council’s head of environmental services Sean Lawson said the actual risk to public health was very low, and pointed out air quality at the crossroads had previously been an issue due to the monitoring station’s close proximity to the road.
He said: “Rugby Borough Council, like most local authorities in the United Kingdom, has areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide which breach EU standards, a result of road traffic.
“We work closely with Warwickshire County Council on highway improvements, such as the recent changes to the gyratory system in Warwick Street, and on planning applications for new houses and businesses to reduce poor air quality as much as possible while continuing to support the economic growth of the borough for the benefit of local residents, businesses and visitors.”
In the report, council Environmental Services officer Anthony Devonish said the potential air quality impact of developments would be closely monitored by Rugby Borough Council.
He added: “In cases where significant adverse air quality impacts are identified, the council will ensure measures are implemented by the applicant to mitigate or offset such impacts.”
