Maidstone Air Quality Survey 2010
Our Air...Our Health...Our Future
The quality of our air affects
everyone…ourselves, our children and their future. It is important
that we think about our actions and the impact they have upon the
environment. Using our car a little less, car sharing, using public
transport and staggering our journeys can help improve the air we
breathe enormously.
Improving Air Quality
The centre of Maidstone, which largely covers
the urban area, the motorway and main roads, has been declared an
Air Quality Management Area. This means the quality of the air in
this area does not reach the recommended government targets; the
major pollutant being exhaust fumes from lorries, buses, vans and
cars.
To improve air quality in this area Maidstone
Borough Council has devised an Air Quality Action Plan. We want to
know what you think about our plan.
Maidstone’s Air Quality Action Plan
Our Air Quality Action Plan sets out a number
of realistic actions to reduce pollution. These include:
- Raising awareness generally of air
quality issues;
- Promoting walking and cycling;
- Encouraging people to make more use of
public transport; and
- Reducing traffic and tackling
congestion issues.
YOU can help by…
- Reading our summary leaflet on Air
Quality and filling in our survey
form;
- The closing date for this is 3 September
2010;
- Telling us about any further actions
we could take;
- Working together to make a difference
to air quality; and
- Trying to make small changes to your
lifestyle to reduce car use.
Please view a copy of our
plan for improving air quality in more detail. Our
draft air quality strategy is also available for review. If you
would like more information or to volunteer to help us spread the
word about improving air quality, please give us your contact
details on the survey form or email johnnewington@maidstone.gov.uk