MP urges action on air quality

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has urged South Lakeland District Council to do more to improve air quality in South Lakeland, following a report released by Public Health England showed that an estimated 44 people die every year due to air pollution in our area.

The report released in April by Public Health England claims that the number of attributable deaths due to air pollution for those aged 25 or over is 44 in South Lakeland. The estimate of mortality burden were based on modelled annual average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in each local authority area originating from human activities. Local data on the adult population and adult mortality rates was also used.

Previously Kendal Town Council has raised concerns that nitrogen dioxide pollution in Lowther Street, Highgate, Longpool, Blackhall Road, Sandes Avenue and Wildman Street failed to comply with the National Air Quality Strategy.

Tim is urging local bus companies to look at offering earlier and later buses to help reduce the number of cars on our roads.

Commenting, Tim said: "Air quality is a vital issue and I know that South Lakeland District Council are making improvements, but I will continue to press and urge them to do more. The figures released by Public Health England about air quality should be a wake up call for all involved and we must do more to tackle the issue we face. I want to see buses run earlier in the morning and later into the evening to help reduce the number of cars on our roads."

Sylvia Emmott, the Mayor of Kendal, added: "We need to act on these figures and work to promote walking and public transport."

Councillor Giles Archibald, Town Centres and Small Business Portfolio Holder on South Lakeland District Council further added: "I'm pleased to see that some areas show an small improvement, but nevertheless I remain very concerned about air-quality and intend to continue to do all I can to reduce the levels of pollution. I look forward to working with Tim and the others tiers of local government to address this issue."