Dorset to improve traffic conditions in air quality drive

Dorset is looking for ways to lower traffic in the area in an attempt to boost its air quality.

Last week, West Dorset District Council revealed it was bringing forward schemes to improve road conditions after having to declare High East Street an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) as a result of the high levels of pollution recorded there, the Dorset Echo reported.

The local authority is looking at ways to introduce a one-way system through High West Street and boost traffic flow in High East Street as part of its Air Quality Action Plan that it has to draw up.

These ideas had originally been part of the Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP), which had been delayed until 2014.

However, West Dorset District Council may provide financial backing for these plans earlier in order to have cleaner air in the area.

Graham Duggan, environmental health team leader, told the newspaper: "DTEP will have the effect of reducing traffic levels in High East Street by up to 50 per cent by our calculations."

The local authority has had air monitoring devices set up to record nitrogen dioxide levels since 1996 to ensure they do not surpass a dangerous amount.

Posted by Joseph Hutton