Dire warnings on air pollution (From Penarth Times)

Dire warnings on air pollution

POLLUTION testing has revealed that Cogan has become an air-quality blackspot.

Monitoring of pollutants carried out by the Vale of Glamorgan Council showed that levels for nitrogen dioxide, produced by petrol and diesel engines, were high in areas of Cogan, Baron's Court roundabout and the Merrie Harrier.

At a Penarth Town Council meeting last week, cllr Gwyn Roberts expressed his concern that pollution levels were very high and called on traffic engineers to do something to alleviate the situation.

Local members Nigel Gibbs and Rhiannon Birch said they were very concerned about the effects pollution levels were having on people's health in Cogan - in particular in the Pill Street area.

Vale of Glamorgan councillor Lis Burnett said: "I think the air quality is particularly bad at peak times and I am concerned that this is going to get progressively worse as the weather gets warmer. It underlines the need for a thorough review of traffic management in the Penarth area."

The report said that residential and commercial developments between Penarth and Rhoose were not expected to significantly increase the amount of traffic passing through the area in the future. However it stated that the high levels of pollution were probably due to the slowing of traffic as a result of capacity issues.

It said that further developments on the Cardiff side of the Cogan Spur could well lead to further slowing up of traffic leading to poorer air quality.

Previous reports have also identified Cogan as an area where air quality levels are likely to be exceeded. The study concludes that further monitoring is needed and a system is to be installed roadside on Windsor Road.