A campaign group in Brighton is calling for the introduction of a clean air zone and warns that ‘air pollution kills’ in the midst of increasing pollution levels.
Brighton’s pollution
Campaign group, Clean Air for Brighton and Hove, is expressing fear for the future and has put up pollution warning signs across the city to try to educate locals on how bad air quality really is, which they say is at “illegal levels”.
The group has existed since 2016 and is aiming to get a clean air zone passed in Brighton, along with other actions to reduce pollution levels. Currently, the organisation says that data shows pollution is exceptionally bad on Hollingbury Road where children walk to and from school.
Concerned for the health of current and future generations to come, Clean Air for Brighton and Hove argued that these current pollution levels in the city could be contributing towards a number of asthma cases, including in children. The group also argued that this cannot be avoided by people living in the city unless they move elsewhere, which is both “stressful” and expensive.
Pollution and poor air quality was also confirmed to be “the largest environmental health risk” according to a Government Clean Air Strategy report from 2019, with poor quality expected to “shorten lives” by contributing to illnesses. Clean Air for Brighton and Hove said that this is one of the key reasons why the campaign group wants to raise awareness and have changes implemented by the council to reduce these effects.
“Air pollution kills a lot of people. It would be another generation of Brighton residents who would be exposed to air pollution and toxic air, and would suffer the effects of ill health as a result.”
Clean Air for Brighton and Hove
The group also pointed out how other UK cities, including Bristol, London and Newcastle, have had some form of clean air zone introduced to tackle pollution. The campaign group feels like the current Brighton Labour council is “not doing” much to tackle the issues in the city. In a tweet, the group has encouraged residents to write to their Labour Councillors to tell them to tackle air pollution.
Brighton Council’s response
Labour Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport & Sustainability Committee confirmed that the council are working on a number of other methods, besides a clean air zone, to reduce emissions in and around the city, with a ULEZ zone already in place for buses around the city centre. These include moving the city towards a low carbon transport system.
“Air quality monitoring has already been expanded and we are reviewing air quality data this produces so that we can create a targeted action plan to improve air quality. We recognise one size may not fit all. Using factual data to help us decide policy and how and where to implement it will mean we use the most effective means to improve air quality where it is most needed. This may mean expanding existing schemes, establishing clear air zones and expanding smoke control” Muten explained.
Final thought
The initiatives the Labour council already have in place symbolise a commitment to cleaner air but it is important that environmental groups continue to push for clean air initiatives to prioritise both the health of residents and sustainability.