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Air quality improvement from Banbury Cross to Southam Road junction
06/03/2024
Concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide are still too high at Hennef Way
The air quality in Banbury at Horsefair and North Bar has improved to the point the location no longer needs to be classified as an air quality management area. The good news is caveated with a note that it still remains one of the local places that is most affected by road traffic emissions.
Improvements in car engine efficiency and reductions in traffic are likely to be the main reasons for the drop in pollution.
The worst performing road in our area is still Hennef Way, where concentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide are significantly higher than Council’s objective and with a slight increase in the latest figures.
On Monday, Cherwell District Council’s Executive approved a new air quality action plan. Steps in the plan include introducing a Banbury Park and Ride bus service around the M40 junction, a lift share scheme and improved cycle routes on Overthorpe Way.
The council measures air quality in the district using diffusion tubes, and the data is recorded every month.
Councillor Phil Chapman, Portfolio Holder for Healthy and Safe Communities, said: “Air pollution is recognised as contributing to the onset of heart disease and cancer and particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children, older people, and those living in less affluent areas. Working with our partners to improve air quality is therefore an important priority for this council.
“In recent years, we have been supporting the take-up of electric vehicles and encouraging people to use active transport wherever possible. Although it is good to see air quality improving in some of the district’s worst-affected areas, our work to seek further improvements must continue.
“As well as ongoing cooperation with Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, we are determined to lead by example in areas that are under our direct control, such as policies related to new developments and our fleet of vehicles, with preparatory works underway to increase the number of electric vehicles we can charge at our depots.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam