At their meeting this week (Tuesday 22 November), RBWM responded to our petition and agreed to increase monitoring of health damaging particulates in the Royal Borough.
Thomas Wigley’s petition to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM), asking for better monitoring of toxic particulates PM10 and PM2.5, was signed by 2,151 residents.
These particulates are created by diesel, petrol and electric vehicles. Their engines, brakes and tyres all wear and their tyres abrade the road surface creating more particulates. Aircraft engines create ultrafine particles which drift over long distances.
Ahead of the council meeting, we held a demonstration, asking RBWM to carry the motion to increase particulates air pollution monitoring, and to halt plans to develop the 132 acres of publicly owned woodlands and greenspace at Maidenhead Golf Course.
Thomas Wigley, Windsor resident and member of the Maidenhead Great Park campaign group, says:
“I am pleased the council has agreed to significantly improve its monitoring of health damaging air pollution in our borough, with a pledge to add three new monitoring sites for PM10 and PM2.5 airborne particulates.
“In 2019 Public Health England concluded that air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK. There is strong evidence that air pollution causes the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and lung cancer, and also exacerbates asthma.
“Local authorities have a key role to play delivering targeted pollution reduction measures at a local level. There are many sources of particulates pollution in the Borough; the busy A308 corridor, the M4 now with one third more capacity, five Air Quality Management Areas and the towns of Windsor and Maidenhead under the Heathrow flight paths.
“We are eager to know where the three new pollution monitors will be sited and when they will start recording particulates data. It would be great if data can be shared easily with residents in real-time, using an App.”
Tina Quadrino, Chair of the Maidenhead Great Park campaign group, adds:
“We welcome the council’s decision to improve its air pollution monitoring, but we are very concerned about the impact that the destruction of hundreds of acres of green belt and thousands of mature trees, as set out in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s Borough Local Plan, will have on our environment and our community.
“As well as taking away our green lung and destroying thousands of mature trees, our council’s plans will significantly increase air pollution in Maidenhead, which is already a big Air Quality Management Area.
“If our community is to stand a chance of enjoying a healthy future, our council must monitor airborne particulates properly and take effective action to do so soon. It must also protect existing woodlands and greenspace from development, and take steps to green our community, to help mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Thank you for taking this active stance in response to council plans which are not effectively broadcast to the wider community.
Please direct me to council offices I can effectively contact and request further information and details as well as register questions and queries.
Hi Christine
Sorry for a very later reply on this.
We somehow missed your message.
Thanks for your support for our campaign.
You could try contacting democratic.services@rbwm.gov.uk Tel 07817 137289 to ask what is happening about the increased monitoring we have been promised.
Do let us know how you get on.