English village fails air quality test

A village in West Sussex has failed an air quality test as a result of a build up of traffic fumes.

Horsham District Council confirmed last week that traffic in Storrington was found to have levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeding the national maximum amount.

It recorded levels of the gas at 51 microgrammes per cubic meter in 2009, while the government's objective for air quality stipulates that there should not be more than 40 microgrammes per cubic metre in the air.

In response to this, the local authority declared that the village will become an Air Quality Management Area, which raises the awareness of air pollution in the vicinity.

This will also force the council draw up an Air Quality Action Plan to show how it intends to reduce the air pollution.

Horsham District Council confirmed that the initiative will be established over the next 18 months.

The capital also faces air management difficulties after environmental groups suggested that the mayor's plans to axe the extension of the congestion charge in west London could lead to a rise in air pollution.

Posted by Joseph Hutton