October 2016 Newsletter - a bit late

A round up of news and views

Air Pollution - On Wednesday 2nd November, ClientEarth won its High Court case against the Government over its failure to tackle illegal air pollution across the UK.

In a damning indictment of ministers’ inaction on killer air pollution, Mr Justice Garnham agreed with ClientEarth that the Environment Secretary had failed to take measures that would bring the UK into compliance with the law “as soon as possible” and said that ministers knew that over optimistic pollution modelling was being used. Read more here...

Prime Minister Theresa May has since said that she will not appeal this High Court Judgement but will instruct DEFRA to come up with a more realistic plan to tackle air pollution across the country.

Tackling Air Pollution in Marlborough - Our planned meeting with local councillors happened to be on the same day as this Air Pollution Judgement and we were pleased to find that this issue is finally being taken seriously. We were told that the particulate monitor on London Road has been out of action since 16th September. It was pointed out that since Marlborough is an 'Air Quality Management Area' Wilts Council is obliged to monitor air quality in the town. After some discussion we were able to agree on the following actions:

Monitoring air quality along the A346
Wilts Council - To get the Oris particulate monitor serviced as soon as possible and to install a real time air quality monitor that measures both NO2 and PM10, and can be linked to the 'Know and Respond' system for vulnerable people, as soon as a suitable location can be found.

Reducing the flow of Diesel HGVs along the A346
Wilts Council - Since it is 10 years since the last HGV survey, to establish the feasibility of conducting a new number-plate survey, in order to trace the the origins of HGVs so that the amount of through traffic (that could use the A34) can be established. (We consider that de-priming the A346 would make the biggest impact on reducing air pollution in our town.)

Obliging all bus drivers to switch off engines while waiting in the High Street
CATG - To erect 'No Idling' signs at the bus stops, outside Lloyds Bank and One Stop.  This will enable Traffic Wardens to enforce the law.

Reducing overall emissions by introducing a 20 mph speed limit
Despite the scientific evidence, some councillors are not yet convinced that a 20 mph speed limit would reduce vehicle emissions. A presentation will be made to Town Councillors explaining the latest evidence, including health and safety benefits, of '20s plenty' speed limits. Find out more about the 20's Plenty Campaign here...

Improving the cycling infrastructure
Wilts Council - To utilise the Section 106 levy that is available to fund the joining up of parts of the cycle path that link Five Styles Road, Priory Court with the business park.
Also, to utilise £2,000 that is available from the Area Board to improve signage on the cycle network.

Encouraging the use of electric vehicles
Install more electric power points around the town.

Apple Juicing - Have you harvested more apples than you can eat this year? If so, Richard Paget will  turn them into your own pure, delicious non-alcoholic apple juice, pasteurised to last 18 months and proudly displaying your own bespoke label, for a modest charge. It's such a shame to see so many apples going to waste (including the ones on that big apple tree opposite the old police station). Richard has juiced more than 100 tonnes of apples on a farm close to Savernake Forest, this year - so take yours along too.

You can call Richard Paget on: 01672 870194, email: info@myapplejuice.co.uk

or check out his website: myapplejuice.co.uk

Thanks

The Transition Marlborough team