Bradford-on-Avon faces traffic changes over air pollution

Masons Lane in Bradford-on-Avon was listed in 2010 as the worst in the county for air pollution, caused by nitrogen dioxide in exhaust fumes from vehicles.

And it has now been declared as a pollution hotspot to be tackled by the council, called an Air Quality Management Area.

Others have been declared in Calne, Devizes, Marlborough, Salisbury city centre, Salisbury Wilton Road (A36 trunk road), Salisbury London Road (A30) and Westbury.

It means the council by law must produce an action plan detailing the measures that will be used to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide in these locations.

Nitrogen dioxide is a product of combustion mostly caused by emissions from motor vehicles, especially diesel cars.

Measures to tackle the nitrogen dioxide levels in Bradford-on-Avon include the re-introduction of a one-way system to tackle the poor air quality in Masons Lane, which is one option being considered to take place.

Bradford on Avon Town Council has out out banners urging drivers to turn off their engines while stuck in traffic to reduce air pollution. Photo: Trevor Porter 70099-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The report also suggests imposing stricter weight limits on the historic town bridge which carries an average of more than 17,000 vehicles and 3,000 pedestrians a day.

The new report further suggests a tree crown reduction on Masons Lane, where the branches overhang the road and prevent exhaust fumes from dispersing.

Ivan Wiggam, who lives in Masons Lane, said: "We have to keep our windows locked and closed all the time at the front of the house because of the exhaust fumes.

"If we open them, we get a grime forming on the walls. It's like a layer of greasy horrible black stuff. It's disgusting."

Ivan Wiggam, of Masons Lane, has to keep the windows at the front of his home closed because of the exhaust fumes from vehicles going up and down the road. (Image: John Baker)

Cllr Tim Trimble, chair of Bradford on Avon Town Council’s sustainable travel committee, says they are waiting for the results of Wiltshire Council’s traffic modelling consultation to be published in October.

“Air quality is very much a concern in Bradford on Avon but the way we are approaching it in terms of re-introducing a one-way system is to look at pedestrian safety.

“We want more people to feel safe when they are walking or cycling in town. If we can do that, we will reduce the need for them to get into their cars.”

In the Westbury AQMA, the Wiltshire Council report suggests making the most effective use of road junctions on the A350 through the town to improve traffic flow.

It also suggests investigating peak hour re-routing of traffic and introducing sustainable last-mile deliveries to improve air quality.