A27 improvements would slash air pollution in Horsham District, according to a councillor
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A new council report has said the town centre of Storrington and the village of Cowfold will remain air quality management areas.
Storrington and Cowfold were highlighted as continuing to breach nitrogen dioxide – a gas primarily produced from burning fuels – target levels in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
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Hide AdBut the council said in 2019 no monitoring sites in Cowfold breached the nitrogen dioxide target level.
Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts, Horsham District Council said. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.
Action plans have been in place in Storrington and Cowfold since 2012 and 2013 respectively in a bid to tackle pollution levels.
But now Horsham District Councillor Philip Circus, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste has said a major revamp on the A27 is the key to slashing air pollution levels.
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Hide AdHe welcomed the news Cowfold had not exceeded pollution levels but said: “There is still work to be done.
“If you take Storrington it is quite clear what’s really going to make the difference is going to be the works on the A27.
“There needs to be improvements all the way along.”
Mr Circus added that there are three key north to south routes but only two running from east to west – the A27 and the A272.
He said works on the A27 would make a ‘huge difference’ to air quality levels on Horsham District.
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Hide AdMr Circus added: “It will take pressure off the other route which goes through our patch which is the A272.
“I’m not saying it’s the only issue but it sure as hell would make a difference.”
He said air pollution cannot be cut to zero but should be minimised as much as possible.
Mr Circus called for a review into reopening railway lines which were shut in the 60s in a bid to encourage people away from their cars.
He said he was ‘quite convinced’ it would be possible to reopen the Downs Link – which runs from Shoreham to Guildford via Horsham – to accommodate trains while still letting it be used by cyclists.