by Sian Napier

snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk

A new transport group has been formed, called Canterbury 4 Clean Air, to tackle air pollution, congestion and climate change in the city.

Local members of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and other concerned people have formed the group and intend to prepare a new transport plan for Canterbury that will reduce car use, air pollution and congestion and lower its high carbon footprint.

Campaigner Emily Shirley, who said she was pleased with the turnout at the launch on Saturday, said: “Air pollution is dire in Canterbury. It has been getting progressively worse, despite assurances from the council that it would do something about it.

“This it has failed to do. In 2006 air pollution was bad on Broad Street and Military Road. Now it is also bad on Upper Bridge Street, Lower Bridge Street, Sturry Road, North Lane, St Dunstan’s Street, St Peter’s Place, Rheims Way and Wincheap.”

Michael Rundell, from Wincheap and a member of Canterbury 4 Clean Air, said there should be an immediate U-turn in transport planning.

“Our transport strategies for Canterbury and Kent are not fit for purpose,” he said. “We need congestion charging, reduction of car parking spaces, better cycle infrastructure, personalised travel planning and 20-mile speed limits across all residential areas.

“We do not need more roads, slip roads, car parks and park and rides. Air pollution, climate change and congestion are related and must be dealt with together. We face a world of increasing oil prices. Sooner or later we will be forced to confront these changes anyway.”

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, supports the aims of Canterbury 4 Clean Air. He said: “Air pollution is an increasing problem, especially in busy urban areas. Recent government figures show that pollution may have made some contribution to the earlier deaths of 200,000 people in 2008, with an average loss of life of about two years per death.

“Added to that is the evidence of harmful effects on children’s health. There are ways to reduce air pollution and this must now be an immediate priority for the city of Canterbury.”

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