UK 'criticised over poor air quality'

A report which has criticised the air quality of the UK has been welcomed those in charge of environmental health in Kent.

The investigation into the quality of the air in Britain found that the failure to reduce the amount of pollution has resulted in a massive strain being placed on the NHS, a Commons’ environmental audit committee found.

While the statement is damning for those involved with cleaning up air in this country, the Kent and Medway Air Quality Monitoring Network has welcomed it for bring so much attention to the issue.

Chairman Brian Gibson told the YourCanterbury.co.uk website that pollution is predominately down to road traffic, with Dover having upwards of 20,000 cars passing through it every day.

"By identifying and publishing such areas, we at least have a starting point in trying to reduce its size or revoke it altogether," he added.

The south coast is not the only area of the country to be suffering from poor air quality, with the Times recently stating that the tram scheme in Edinburgh has frequently seen the pollution levels in the city reach twice the European Union's safe limit.

Posted by Claire Manning