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
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...”
by Joe K, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 11:03AM
“The boys in blue have known about that car for over two weeks now, Paul (well, even they could hardly miss it).
They said on the 6th of March that the council had been 'informed for removal', but didn't specify which council. Apparently, it's the city council, but their latest email reply said that their 'Environment Officer' wasn't in yesterday, and I guess he must drive the tow truck. He's at work today, I beleive, but no news yet.”
by Paul S, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 10:37AM
“I see the blue car is STILL on the bus stop opposite the police station... Surely one of the boys in blue could walk across, take the details, phone the owner and get it shifted.. If no owner then get one of the clamping companies that can move a car within ten mins to shift it...”
by The Guvnor, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 9:06AM
“If they want to cut down on pollution and traffic waiting time, why do they keep closing a lane in Bruton Way / Trier Way for no apparent reason!”
by NewGloucsMan, Kingsway
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 9:02AM
“If this new box will make traffic lights green for longer when the pollution gets too high, then why don't they make the traffic lights longer all the time then they won't need to invest in the pollution detectors as traffic will always be moving. I'm always a fan of new technology, but sometimes it can be overkill!? As Joe K says, it would ahve to be backed up with enforcement of the parking restrictions to make it work.”
by Joe K, Gloucester
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 8:22AM
“Ah, I think there was some mention of this right at the end of the Barton & Tredworth Neigbourhood Partnership steering group meeting yesterday, but there was no time to discuss it.
There is no point altering times on the traffic lights, though, unless the illegally parked cars, and lorries dropping off goods in particular, are prevented from creating bottlenecks which are as bad or worse than red traffic lights.”