Since July 1998 we've been monitoring the quality of the air in the town to make sure it reaches the Government set national standard.
The quality of air across most of Hastings & St Leonards reaches this standard. However, on a small part of Bexhill Road, levels of Particulate Matter (PM) are above the required standard. As a result, an Air Quality Management Area has to be declared and an Air Quality Action Plan prepared.
Hastings & St Leonards, like most of Southern England, has high levels of Particulate Matter (PM). It is a fine dust which comes from road traffic, engine emissions, sea salt, tyre and brake debris, biological particles, the construction industry and soils.
European governments are working together to bring levels down, and it is thought that levels along the Bexhill Road should drop through this action, by 2006.
However, slow moving traffic using the Bexhill Road every day (around 3000 cars use the road daily) contribute to PM and if reduced could help lower PM levels.
You can help further reduce them by:
We'll be working with Rother District Council East Sussex County Council, the Highways Agency and residents to create the Air Quality Action Plan with the aim or reducing pollution levels. Residents in the affected area will be invited to discuss this issue at local meetings held during July. In September, we're planning to hold events so that everyone can play a part in reducing traffic levels. At the same time, consultation with residents will take place to find ways to reduce pollution and traffic levels.
If you would like to find out more about air pollution, or are worried about health risks, you may like to look at http://www.sussex-air.net which has good links to other websites. More information can also be found on the website at http://www.hastings.gov.uk/airquality
If you would like to speak to someone about concerns you may have, please contact our Environmental Health Team on 783228 or email gcasey@hastings.gov.uk
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This page last updated: 03/07/2003