Colchester residents concerned about local air quality
A Colchester-wide campaign's been launched to try and tackle concerns of local residents about air pollution.
CARless POLLUTION comes after research from the Borough Council revealed 87% of local people are concerned about air quality in Colchester and 41% think the town is highly polluted.
The campaign urges drivers to make small changes to their driving habits, such switching off engines at traffic lights or level crossings, to reduce the risks associated with breathing in polluted air.
Research by the University of Surrey's revealed that pollution inside a stationary car with the engine running is seven times higher than air pollution outside the car.
To demonstrate the exhaust fumes that build up inside cars, a car filled with coloured smoke was placed in Culver Square to mark the campaign launch.
The Council say currently only 15% of drivers regularly switch off their engine when their car is not moving and 20% override their car's automatic switch off technology.
They added that switching off car engines reduces emissions which brings an important health benefit to everyone inside the car, and could save money on fuel.
Eleanor lives on East Hill with her young family, she said: "I am constantly worried about the quality of our air, particularly when cars are queuing outside our house with their engines running.
"The air even tastes bad and we must keep our windows closed at home.
"If everyone made one small change by switching off their engines while waiting, it would make a huge difference to the air that we all breathe.”
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment & Transportation, added: “During lockdown there were significant improvements in Colchester's air quality and local people are being encouraged to keep up positive habits to support their health. This could include switching from car driving to cycling and walking, as well as adopting new helpful driving habits by switching off their car engines when stationary which has been proven to reduce pollution by up to 30%.”
As part of the campaign, which will run until May 2021, new road signs will appear around Brook Street and the East Street level crossing from November subject to planning permission being granted, to remind drivers to switch off their engines.