The A472 Hafodyrynys Road in Crumlin has been named the most polluted road in the UK outside of London.
The Guardian newspaper number-crunched UK Government data and discovered that, apart from a single road in central London, the A472 road between Crumlin and Hafodyrynys had the highest recordings of nitrogen dioxide levels in the country.
The pollution is thought to be caused by busy traffic along the road, particularly at peak times of the day.
Following the revelation, Labour’s Islwyn MP Chris Evans has said he is seeking a meeting with Caerphilly County Borough Council to discuss the problem.
An air quality assessment produced by Caerphilly County Borough Council in 2013 estimated that approximately 78 people who live on the road are exposed to the high pollution levels which it says are caused primarily by HGVs and congestion on the road.
Mr Evans said: “The unacceptable and dangerous pollution levels on the A472 in Hafodyrynys have been known about for some time. It is a real problem and more needs to be done to protect the health and well-being of those who live on the road and in the local area.
“I have written to Caerphilly County Borough Council requesting a meeting to discuss this issue alongside the measures they will take to reduce the level HGVs and congestion on the A472.”
Deanna Hardwick, who lives on the road, told The Guardian: “It’s pretty terrible. We can’t have the windows open because of the fumes so in the summer the house feels pretty airless.
“I don’t let the children play outside, not just because of the risk of a road accident but because of the damage the air may cause to their health. I’ve been here ten years and I’m keen to move.”
Another, George Powell, 70, who has lived on the road for 15 years, said he had given up trying to clear the black residue that clings to his front door.
He added: “It’s horrible the way it gathers there.
“I’ve installed double glazing against the noise but the fumes leave your eyes streaming. I’ve got grandchildren. We let them play out the back – there’s woods and a stream there – but never on the front.”
A spokeswoman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “We are aware of the high air quality readings in this area and have installed the air quality monitor specifically to look at trends in air quality data.
“The area has been designated as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and the council is working alongside key stakeholders to look at options to improve the air quality in the area.”
There are a number of areas in Caerphilly County Borough in which Carcinogenic Quality has the potential to seriously effect the life of citizens, not least theTwyn Cross Roads in Caerphilly Town, this area is adjacent to the
Town Library, the Twyn Community Centre and very near to a local school, there is also a zebra crossing on these cross road where children, attending the school, cross in large numbers every day, there are also clusters in Caerphilly Town of respiratory illnesses to older people and this seriously poor air quality has a materiel effect on general health of Caerphilly Citizens.
It is a scientific fact that the seriously poor air quality around this square can cause serious harm to the developing lungs of young children, and some of
the contaminants hanging in the air at this location can cause Cancer.
There has been a lamentably slow and dilatory approach to these problems by Caerphilly Council for years, at one point they established a working group to
try to tackle the issues, but, due to staff pregnancies, staff holidays and a `general` diminution of the seriousness of the issues the entire approach to find solutions has lost all momentum, and certainly, disestablished the interests and involvement of local people in this very serious public health issue. There has been no consultation with local people, and no understandable data published on the quality of the air we breath.
Caerphilly Councils Labour politicians should now step up to the plate and seriously address this potentially catastrophic situation, and don`t take NO
for an answer from it`s officers. Someone has to provide answers as to why these issues have been put on a back burner for years.
DOOOOMED we’re all DOOOOMED!
You are, once again, `dead` correct!!!”
Breath the air around Twyn Cross roads and you are doomed, and Particularly subjected to a slow lingering demise, and particularly if you are young with developing lungs and other body organs, read the Council`s, welsh Assembly and EU data on it, and you will see how near to the mark you really are. and by the way, how did you know this???? how can you make such an accurate prediction, you must have read the data already Yes?
The air quality around town isn’t great, I actually agree with you on this. The extra traffic is only going to make things worse with so many pinch points in this very old settlement. I was just mocking your dramatic prose. You are right about there being to much trouble in town of a Friday night as well. It’s the level of animation in your comment that makes me giggle. You come across as alarmist and hyperbolic and do your cause no favours by exaggerating your language to the point where people just role their eyes when you type.
No excuses from me for expressing my concerns in the way I have to the very serious issues of seriously dangerous air quality in Caerphilly. A view incidently expressed by people who know far better than me what the situation in Caerphilly Twyn Crossroads and other locations represents to health.
I trust you will also recognise my mocking socratic irrony to your Dads Army comment.
Caerphilly’s very own private Frazer, first class of course. I love it.
White St. and Cardiff Rd. Caerffili must be close second to the road mentioned.