Dorset Council air quality plan for Chideock - England's most polluted village

Residents are being invited to comment on a draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for Chideock - which last year was found to be the county's worst for air pollution, with levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) more than twice the statutory annual Air Quality Objective levels.

That report, produced by Friends of the Earth in July 2020, indicated levels of NO2 on the A35 at Chideock Hill were recorded as 97.7 micrograms per cubic metre of air. The statutory limit is 40 micrograms.

Speed limits have been reduced from 40mph to 30mph on Chideock Hill in a bid to resolve the issue. There have been some signs of improvement - however, Dorset Council's latest report concludes that the issue is "complex," and that NO2 concentrations exceeding the NO2 objective are still being recorded in areas of the village.

Speed limits have been reduced in a bid to ease pollution

Air pollution is associated with several adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.

• 'Take this seriously': Council's action call for England's worst air pollution

Chideock resident Tony Peacock claimed Dorset Council's new plan in fact appears to be a "regurgitation" of previous proposals, and is concerned that the proposal is very difficult to find on the council's website. "I think it's absolutely outrageous," he added. "Most of the five actions they are proposing were put forward in 2011 - what do we pay these people for?"

He is also concerned that an air pollution monitor in Chideock has been broken since 2016, and that volumes of traffic are increasing.

While Dorset Council had a legal duty to produce the latest air quality plan for Chideock, the authority said it recognises that air quality - and especially particulate matter - is an area of concern to residents across the entire county, so measures could be used elsewhere, and it will also feed into the council's work towards addressing the climate emergency.

It is a step in the right direction according to Cllr Simon Christopher, who sits on both Chideock Parish Council and Dorset Council.

"Clearly (air pollution) is an incredibly serious issue in Chideock and Dorset Council will be giving it full consideration," he said. "We are also working very hard in respect of road safety on the A35. This is receiving a lot of attention from our MP and national highways, particularly in relation to speed limits, and there are some speed limit areas that may be extended."

The council said air quality will be considered, as part of the action plan, within the review of the Dorset Local Plan, transport schemes and policies aimed towards reducing vehicle use.

• Read more: Urgent call to cut traffic in pollution hotspot - and fierce criticism of 30mph speed limit decision

One aspect of the air quality plan produced by Dorset Council, is that new planning applications are likely to be rejected on the basis of extra traffic. However, the county also has an obligation to build houses, due to Government targets.

Councillor Laura Miller Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Customer & Community Services, said: “In this Air Quality Action Plan, we outline how we’ll tackle air quality issues within our control. We will continue to work with regional and central government on policies and issues beyond Dorset Council’s direct influence.”

The council said that by taking a strategic approach, air quality and the associated health outcomes should improve more generally across Dorset.

* The public survey closes on January 9, 2022. To view the plans and have your say, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/air-quality-consultation