A LACK of action on tackling air pollution in Studley has prompted a demand for something to be done.
Studley is the only location in Stratford district which exceeds government targets for nitrogen dioxide – an exhaust pollutant that inflames the lining of the lungs, can reduce immunity to lung infections and can cause wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis.
Its presence in the air contributes to other pollutants like particulate matter.
And although generally levels of pollution in the village have declined since 2012, they have started to climb since 2015, with the Barley Mow island on the A435, breaching national targets.
Coun Hazel Wright hit out at Stratford District Council which in its own air quality report admitted it has not ‘identified any core actions to target sources of pollution’ and was instead relying on improvements in vehicle emission technology to improve air quality.
As a result environmental chiefs have agreed their 2008 Studley Air quality Action Plan needs updating in the light of continued pollution.
Coun Wright added: “I do acknowledge that this is a difficult area for Stratford but they’ve allowed ten years to elapse when it should be a high priority.”
District health and community safety spokesman Tony Jefferson said: “The air quality issues in Studley are traffic related and, probably the result of substantial HGV traffic.
“The Air Quality Action Plan will be revisited in the near future. Because the cause of the air quality is traffic related both Warwickshire County Council and Highways England will be involved.”
Fears were recently raised pollution levels in Stratford could rocket if the district council decided to revoke the town’s Air Quality Management Area status – declared when pollutants in the air exceed recommended Government levels.
