In a new blog for Caerphilly Observer, Conservative South Wales East AM, Mohammed Asghar, gives his take on recent news that the A472 road between Crumlin and Hafodyrynys has been named as the road with the highest levels of air pollution in the UK, outside of London.
Concern
Recently, I was very concerned to discover that the A472 between Pontypool and Crumlin has the highest level of Nitrogen Dioxide in Wales. Indeed, the levels recorded in 2015 and 2016 were higher than anywhere else apart from central London.
In November 2013, Caerphilly declared an Air Quality Management Area and a further assessment was undertaken last year. Again, excessive levels of air pollution were confirmed and the council were required to complete an air quality action plan for the area.
I understand they are currently consulting with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders to have input into production of the plan and it is estimated that the draft Action Plan will be ready for consultation in November this year.
The Cabinet Secretary has assured me that the Action Plan should be finalised and approved by February or March next year, as long as no major amendments are required. I have asked that she ensure progress on this matter is monitored closely so there is no unwarranted delay.
There cannot be any unwarranted delay where the health of the public is concerned.
Why has mankind become obsessed with measuring stuff.
Well! could it be because too much of some things KILL you?
Too much of most things will kill a person in the end, how many of those who are complaining about vehicle exhaust fumes on this stretch of road smoke or drink alcohol, or are overweight due to eating too much fatty food, or drink high sugar soft drinks. Somebody gets a machine which measures something and suddenly there is a issue because the machine that can measure says so, how do we know the machine that measures isn’t giving artificially high readings because it has been placed in the wrong location, fumes on a hill will be greater than on a level road, fumes will also be higher on a road with speed humps than a flat level road without, surely there are many different factors involved in the quality of the air on a road not simply a passing vehicle.
This passing bandwaggon which this Regional list member in the Assembly has hitched a ride on, has been rolling for ten years in Caerphilly Council, residents were promised action on these matters, throughout Caerphilly, particulaly in Caerphilly town, NOTHING, AND NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN WHATSOEVER BY SUCCESSIVE COUNCILS BY EITHER THE NATIONALISTS OR LABOUR, ( BUT THIS IS DOWN TO OFFICERS). to address this life threatening problems.
Mr Asghars Assembly is equally responsible for the dilitory and criminal approach to this issues for at least the past ten years during which staff at the Assembly were fully consuted on these matters.Where has Mr Ashar been for god sake.