Manchester campaigners monitor motorway air quality

Breathe Clean Air Group claims most results of its monitoring so far show nitrogen dioxide levels above national limits

Air pollution on the streets alongside the M60 motorway in Urmston and Davyhulme is over the safety limit, according to a Manchester campaign group.

Trafford’s Breathe Clean Air Group (BCAG) has been monitoring nitrogen dioxide levels for the last three months, with nine of the 11 results it has found so far showing levels above the national 40 micrograms per cubic metre limit.

An artist’s impression of Peel Energy’s proposed biomass energy plant in Greater Manchester

The other two results, the group says, are just below that limit, with its results  overall ranging from 35.78 mg3 and 59.69 mg3.

BCAG has been undertaking the monitoring as part of its campaign against the proposed Daveyhulme biomass plant, which it claims will increase what it says are already poor air quality levels in the area.

However, Peel Energy disputes these claims, and BCAG lost its legal challenge against the £70 million wood burning facility, which is being built by Peel Energy, in February 2014 (see airqualitynews.com story).

Pete Kilvert, chairman of BCAG, commented: “We have started monitoring now to get a baseline before the Davyhulme incinerator is built. We also anticipate that the Peel Group’s other proposed developments will attract even more vehicles, producing more nitrogen dioxide pollution at a time when it should be reduced.”

He added: “No wonder Europe wants to prosecute the UK for infringements of air quality and these results are right on our doorstep.”

The 20MW Barton plant will generate enough electricity to power 37,000 homes.