Campaigners back MP’s call for Air Quality

Trafford’s Breathe Clean Air Group fully endorses Stretford and Urmston MP, Kate Green’s recent statement on Air Quality.

Ms Green highlighted the World Health Organisation’s alarm call, that levels of tiny Particulate Matter in the Manchester area are above the safety limit.

Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group Pete Kilvert said, “we are delighted that our MP is sounding the alarm bells at this time, as work is about to commence on the construction of the controversial Barton Renewable Energy Plant (Davyhulme Biomass Incinerator). Burning contaminated wood and other waste will add greatly to local air pollution by generating tonnes of these tiny toxic particulates as well as other toxic emissions.”

The Breathe Clean Air Group has been campaigning to stop the Incinerator for the last six years and members were extremely disappointed when Government Minister Eric Pickles gave it the go ahead in May 2013, against overwhelming local opposition. The incinerator will not be using best available technology and its toxic emissions will be polluting the area 24/7 for 25 years or more. The Group has also campaigned against Coal Bed Methane Fracking in Davyhulme and the foul smells emanating from Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works.

The Breathe Clean Air Group has also been monitoring nitrogen dioxide air pollution for the last two years. In the parts of Urmston and Davyhulme near the M60 motorway and in Urmston town centre, levels of nitrogen dioxide are consistently above the European safety level. Last year DEFRA highlighted that one of our Primary schools next to the motorway was in the top ten worst affected schools for such air pollution. The Highways Agency is currently working on the Smart Motorway Scheme and it is hoped that nitrogen dioxide levels will decrease slightly.

“Air Quality is crucial for good health” said Pete Kilvert. “It’s not going to improve in Trafford if the Council’s Planning Committee give permission for the proliferation of dirty, air polluting processes such as the Biomass Incinerator, the Coal Bed Methane Fracking venture, five biogas engines at United Utilities, three power stations in Carrington and potential developments by the Peel Group along the Manchester Ship Canal. The proposed massive housing development near Barton swing bridge will create congestion and more vehicle pollution which won’t help matters either,” he added.