Dorset residents want to see more air quality improvements
It's one of the results of a Dorset Council survey
Most Dorset residents say not enough if being done to improve air quality in the county – although many accept that they are partially to blame.
A Dorset Council consultation found that over 70% when asked about their local area, said they were either concerned or very concerned.
Over 80% thought traffic was the main source of pollution, followed by farming (6.8%) and industry (4.8%).
When asked about their own contribution to pollution just under 45% thought it was from their energy use, and just over 35% attributed it to their travel choices.
Solutions suggested by the 171 who responded to the consultation said walking more, using lower emission vehicles, cycling and using the bus although around 20 per cent said they would not consider using any of the alternatives.
Respondents also highlighted specific areas where air quality is a particular issue - such as Chideock, Portland and Boot Hill in Weymouth.
WHAT COULD BE DONE?
Off the back of the survey, measures being considered by Dorset Council in the coming years include further promoting public transport, encouraging alternatively fuelled vehicles including taxis, buses and lorries for freight, planning measures to minimise emissions and controlling emissions from homes.
But a council report concedes that with more people switching to open fires and wood-burners as well as biomass boilers this may be problematic.
The same report also concludes that it is lower income homes likely to suffer the most:
“Although air pollution can be harmful to everyone, people who live in more polluted areas are more affected. This tends to include low-income communities as they are more likely to live in areas with poorer air quality due to lower value properties often being in more congested areas. They are also more likely to fit other criteria which indicate poorer health in general, making them more susceptible.”