Newtown air quality worse since new traffic system introduced

Air quality in a Mid Wales town has deteriorated since a controversial new traffic system was introduced, which it is claimed has significantly worsened congestion on the roads.

A study in Newtown by Powys County Council's environmental health team found that higher levels of nitrogen dioxide were detected in the town in recent months.

Councillor Russell George said the figures confirmed that congestion had significantly increased since the new traffic layout was put in place in January.

He said: "The air monitoring that has taken place over recent years show a gradual increase in the levels of nitrogen dioxide along New Road.

"The figures for the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year show a large increase.

"Since the new traffic layout and management system was put in place, congestion in Newtown has got significantly worse.

"I have been told by some officials that there is no evidence or statistics that show there is an increase in traffic congestion in Newtown, surely these figures are all the evidence we need."

The report says: "High levels of NO2 close to the air quality objective were recorded at other sites along New Road outside of the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

"It will be necessary for these sites to continue to report throughout 2010 and forwards. As a result of the opening of a new superstore in Newtown there have been significant changes to the road layout and traffic flows along the A483."