New system aims to make Gloucester air cleaner
An innovative new system to keep traffic moving and reduce pollution is being installed in Barton Street.
The Air Pollution Monitoring Cabinet will take regular readings of air quality and trigger traffic light changes when there is too much pollution in the air.
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Barton Street in Gloucester
The scheme is being pioneered by Gloucestershire County Council and city council to reduce pollution in the northern end of Barton Street.
It is the first time it has been used in Gloucestershire.
Coun Stan Waddington, county cabinet member for environment, said: "Although air quality in the area is fine for most of the year, on still, calm days pollution can rise above acceptable limits and we need to do something about it.
"This is a first for Gloucestershire and if it works here, we may consider installing them in other problem areas."
County councillor for Barton Sonia Friend welcomed the scheme. "There's a problem with a lot of standing traffic in Barton Street, creating poor air quality. Hopefully, this system will monitor the pollution and keep traffic moving.
"My hope is that installing this new air cabinet could make it a much better environment for local people to live and work in," she said.
The device will constantly monitor air quality. If it detects high levels of pollution it will trigger the Barton Street traffic signals, which will be programmed to give more green light time to keep traffic moving.
The installation of the cabinet comes after part of the northern end of Barton Street was designated an air quality management area following concerns levels of nitrogen oxide were above recommended tolerances. The pollution is caused by car exhaust emissions.
Andrew Mansfield, manager of Mitchells Cycles in Barton Street, said: "I've been here 14 years and over that time the amount of traffic has got worse, although recently it's been slightly quieter, which I put down to the credit crunch.
"It's at its worst during the rush-hour morning traffic, but if cars need to turn off, then it slows the traffic down anyway, so I'm not sure this will do anything to reduce pollution."
10 Comments
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by Ed1.com, Gloucester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 7:36AM
“MANNNOOOOOOO YEAHHHHH!!!!!!”
by Ian H, Cheltenham
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 2:02PM
“I used the Peel Centre junction this morning at 10.50. As it is still working as a roundabout I couldn't see another vehicle at that junction. Most traffic lights need to be switched off outside of peak hours. Every set of traffic lights need to be looked at to switch them off most of the day. That'll keep the pollution down.”
by No traffic, Chelt
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 11:19AM
“Where's all the traffic in the photo?
I cant understand the problem?
Surely if they increase the amount of green wont there be a risk of accidents with cross traffic?”
by Edward, Cheltenham
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 11:17AM
“You know when traffic flows most freely? When the traffic lights are out of order. There are very rarely accidents, and there are very rarely queues. The worst are traffic lights on roundabouts - especially during the night. Where's the joined up thinking in that?”
by Joe K, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 11:07AM
“Strange, I don't recall an 'Anon, from Chelt' in the rollcall...”