50 people die in Cambridge each year because of air pollution - now there are calls to take more action

By Josh Thomas, Local Democracy Reporter

Published: 09:06, 17 October 2018

Traffic with car strong exhaust fumes in the the city of hamburg

County council agrees motion to work on improving air quality

There are calls to do more to improve air quality in Cambridgeshire amid claims more than 50 people die every year in Cambridge alone because of air pollution.

In a motion to Cambridgeshire County Council’s full council yesterday (October 16), Liberal Democrat councillor Lorna Dupre called for the council to “recognise the success of Clean Air Day 2018” and work with other organisations on a “programme of active participation across Cambridgeshire in next year’s Clean Air Day on Thursday 20 June 2019.”

The motion said the council should: “work with its partner councils and other public bodies towards promoting a programme of active participation across Cambridgeshire in next year’s Clean Air Day on Thursday 20 June 2019.”

Labour’s Cllr Linda Jones, who represents Petersfield, said there are more than 50 deaths attributed to air pollution every year in Cambridge city alone.

Lib Dem David Jenkins said he supported a drive to improve air quality in Cambridgeshire, but that the motion was not proposing to go far enough.

“I feel it is a little limp,” said Cllr Jenkins. “Air pollution is an existential threat to health nationally. We should be doing 100 times more.”

Conservative Peter Hudson echoed fears of air pollution causing health problems. He said the effects were pronounced, not only in the city, but near major roads like the A14.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Cambridge Environment Josh Thomas, Local Democracy Reporter