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Breathing Easy In Barnsley
August 2008
Care4Air, South Yorkshire’s air quality campaign, is congratulating Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) for its efforts to improve the quality of the air along a main road in Dodworth.
In 2005, the A628 Barnsley Road in Dodworth was declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide concentrations along the road. In response to the AQMA, Barnsley MBC acted swiftly and implemented the Dodworth by-pass scheme to alleviate congestion along the road.
Air pollution readings taken for the first full year since completion of the by-pass have shown that the Government’s air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide is now being met due to the diversion in the road. If levels continue to remain low over the coming years Barnsley MBC will apply for the removal of the AQMA as Dodworth residents will be breathing cleaner air!
Barnsley MBC works to raise awareness of air quality through the Care4Air campaign and encourages all members of the public to help improve air quality in the region by following simple tips such as using more sustainable methods of transport or car sharing. The campaign also encourages people to eco-drive, which includes driving more efficiently, using the highest gear traffic conditions allow and avoiding rapid acceleration and heavy braking. For more information about how you can help please visit www.care4air.org
Councillor Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Customer and Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are delighted to announce that the quality of the air along Barnsley Road in Dodworth has improved due to the new by-pass. It is important that our borough continues to keep its air clean and I look forward to seeing these improvements being sustained over the coming years and then we can hopefully, remove the AQMA status!”