Traffic levels in Canterbury must be cut

Inhabitants of the Historic Kentish city of Canterbury have been warned today that they must cut their traffic levels by 70 per cent if they are to get back in line with the air quality targets laid out by the government.

South East MEP Keith Taylor is hugely concerned about the current levels of air pollution in the area, which can result in heart and lung disease, as well as less other conditions such as asthma.

Speaking at the European Parliament last Tuesday, he warned: "Air quality in Canterbury is above European and World Health Organisation levels of pollution."

He then urged the people of Canterbury to take responsibility, asking them to reduce traffic by 70 per cent before saying: "This is an issue everyone should take seriously."

A report back in April showed the severity of the risks of traffic pollution, claiming that it is a bigger killer than road accidents themselves.

"We find that UK combustion emissions cause 13,000 premature deaths in the UK per year, while an additional 6000 deaths in the UK are caused by non-UK European Union (EU) combustion emissions. The leading domestic contributor is transport, which causes - 7500 early deaths per year," the Environmental Science and Technology report details.

In contrast to the staggering 7,500 deaths caused by emissions, 2010 saw 1,850 deaths due to road accidents.

The case in Canterbury is so serious that those with respiratory problems have been advised to stay inside due to the potential health hazards that the levels of air pollution provide.

Canterbury Council is attempting to remedy the problem with a year long investigation.

"As part of the 12-month experiment to protect the historic towers, the city council is carrying out traffic counts and air quality tests which will affect the decision about whether to make the trial permanent," This Is Kent reports.