More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
An alliance of parents, activists, cyclists and a countryside charity are joining forces to protest dangerous levels of air pollution on one of Europe's most congested crossings.
A new coalition of clean air groups will meet at the Dartford Crossing on Sunday 22 September between 4-5pm to raise awareness of the issue.
The protest group will consist of members of the countryside charity, CPRE Kent, Dartford and Gravesham Cycling Forum, Dartford Clean Air and the local wing of the international activist group, Extension Rebellion.
Protestors will be meeting outside the Hilton Hotel next to the Crossways Business Park before walking up on to the bridge itself but there will be no obstructions to traffic.
Mandy Garford, who set up the Dartford Clean Air project after her newborn baby was left on life support following a severe respiratory infection, said the groups were joining together to 'make a bigger impact'.
She says parents have contacted her to voice their concerns, stories and how the pollution effects them and their families.
"Some Dartford residents have been so concerned they have moved away," she said.
The teacher, 42 from Stone, added: "All groups involved understand that there are many contributing factors to our current air pollution levels and many different ideas, solutions and approaches may be needed.
"This is why we feel it is important to have the input of a number of different groups with a variety of concerns and consequently many different ideas to help.
"This is an issue that affects us all and knows no boundaries. It’s time that this was taken seriously.
"We need investment, creative, out-of-the-box, joined up thinking and strong policies from the local council, Kent County Council and the government to protect us."
The crossing between Kent and Essex, which consists of the Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, was the subject of a major blunder just two years ago when it was falsely classed as a 'rural' road and exempted from a government air quality assessment.
It has since been reclassified.
Angelika Hipsz, who coordinates the Dartford branch of Extinction Rebellion acknowledges the international aspect of the issue but believes the local council and government can do more, including providing more travel options.
She said: "At the moment there is no public transport in place that would take us to the other side of the river. We need alternatives so that us, local residents could make more environmental friendly choices.
"We don't need or want more lanes than what's already there. More lanes mean more cars on the road. Our lungs cannot take any more of those emissions in, our town cannot take any more traffic on our roads, our air cannot take any more pollution on.
"We need to work together to make this change happen. We acknowledge the effort of those who work hard to improve the air quality in Dartford, however, so far, it seems to only support certain groups of society, not us, ordinary people."
Alex Hills, chairman of the Dartford and Gravesham district of CPRE Kent believes the proposal for a new crossing downstream of Gravesend will not solve the congestion problem but will simply increase pollution in Kent.
He said: "CPRE Kent continues to highlight the practical changes that are needed to reduce air pollution and to combat climate change.
"We are all part of the air pollution problem and part of the solution. CPRE has proven that building new roads increases air pollution and congestion so we need to promote active and sustainable transport."
