Carmarthenshire Council has 'its head in the sand' over air quality

A recent review of air quality figures produced by Carmarthenshire Council has prompted locals to accuse the council of having its head in the sand over air pollution in the county.

Recently released figures have shown that eight points in the county had nitrogen dioxide levels which were above the legal limit, including five streets in Llanelli. The figures have prompted great concern from locals, who believe the council is not doing enough to control air pollution.

Hengoed councillor Sian Caiach has been at the forefront of the criticisms, pointing to a new housing development which is to be constructed on a road where nitrogen dioxide levels are already over what they should be.

She told This is South Wales: "We have got a big pollution problem. It's especially dangerous for children. These things are caused by having too much traffic. The best thing really would be to have a bypass.

"I think it's very much 'head in the sand' at the council."

Sandy Road resident Ray Jones, 69, reiterated the councillors statements, highlighting recent studies which have shown NO2 to be the next worst thing to passive smoking when it comes to cancer. Building on an area which is already polluted is merely going to exacerbate these health concerns.

The EU statutory limit of NO2 is 40 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic metres of air), with Sandy Road at 42.57, Gelli Onn 42.97, Thomas Street 42.13, West End 42.77, and Swiss Valley 40.32.

There were also several other breaches around the county, with Richmond Terrace (43.86) in Carmarthen being the highest reading in the county.

The Council's head of public protection Philip Davies responded by assuring residents that there was no evidence to suggest traffic associated with the new developments would have an impact, but investigations into pollution on Sandy Road were ongoing. He added that any other concerns over health can be addressed by NHS Wales.

Posted by Claire Manning