New survey to find out how air pollution impacts local communities

Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire councils have launched a public online survey to find out how poor air quality affects the local communities. 

Air pollution is linked to almost 500 early deaths a year in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and the councils are looking to gather data on the views of residents, schools, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders which will then be used to inform new initiatives to tackle air pollution. 

For residents, the survey is an opportunity to express their opinions and provide details on how pollution affects their lives and to suggest what they would be willing to do to improve air quality. 

The survey which opened today (February 26) is available online here and is open until April 30 to anyone who is over 16 and lives in the respective areas. 

In February 2019, Stoke and Newcastle-under-Lyme councils were told by the government that they need to reduce the dangerous levels of NO2. 

In order to do this, the councillors were asked to outline their plans to tackle the problem by October and they admitted that they are considering the introduction of a clean air zone (CAZ), however, at the moment of writing, no plans have been drawn up. 

Cllr Carl Edwards, cabinet member for the environment at Stoke-on-Trent City Council and chair of the cross-agency Joint Advisory Group for air quality said: ‘This is an opportunity for local residents to voice their views about air pollution and how it affects them in their community groups. We are keen to hear from all sections of society.

‘Air pollution is everyone’s responsibility and we need to know how we can help people make better choices when it comes to air quality.’

In related news, in September 2019, Staffordshire school children led a new campaign to help reduce air pollution outside their schools.

The campaign aims to encourage parents and children to opt for more sustainable travel and encourage drivers parking outside schools to turn off their engines.

Photo Credit – Pixabay