by Stephen Allen – Chairman SG19 Road Group
It is pleasing to report that our Chairman and Webmaster had a very useful meeting with our new MP, Richard Fuller, early in February.
A wide range of topics were discussed concerning the road network in our area, predominantly the need for the A1 to be re-aligned away from Sandy and Beeston for a number of reasons.
Richard proved to be a good listener and one with a good grasp on the problems we face notwithstanding the fact that he is new to the job and there are a number of pressing issues he has to contend with.
He has promised to take forward our arguments on a number of fronts and to provide the residents he represents with the support we need at Government level.
He has already raised concerns about the A1 in Parliament and we believe that he will be positively assisting us in our efforts to bring about some long needed progress towards our eventual goal; completion of the A1M between Baldock and Alconbury and routing this major trunk road away from our communities.
One of the main concerns discussed was the dreadful levels of pollution that affect Sandy and our Webmaster was able to present a detailed case in support of the need for urgent action based the statistics gleaned from official sources.
(Please see our website – www.sg19.org – for more details and a link to the live air quality index.
At present, with high winds and heavy rain, the levels are low but look in the summer when there is little wind and the picture is very different.)
Over the last few decades, research has revealed how gases like nitrogen dioxide and tiny particles, known as particulate matter or PM, can reach deep into the body with the danger of causing lasting damage.
Air pollution can exacerbate other respiratory conditions too, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer is thought to be linked as well.
Another pathway to harm is opened up when the smallest particles find their way into the depths of the lungs, to the alveoli, from where oxygen is transferred into the bloodstream.
It’s been established that PM2.5 particles are small enough to make that transition, entering the cardiovascular system and circulating throughout the body. T
he risks of this include the potential for blocking the arteries, increasing the danger of stroke, along with heart disease and heart attacks.
Beyond that, there is evidence that the particles can reach the brain so researchers are investigating the potential effects on conditions such as dementia.
On average, Sandy holds joint second place in the whole country for poor air quality.
The World Health Organisation guideline values for particulate matter (PM) are, for PM 2.5, 10 ug/m3 and, for PM10, 20ug/m3. Sandy’s overall average rolling results – based on the latest data collated to 2016 – 12ug/m3 for PM 2.5 and 19 ug/m3 for PM 10 – well in excess of the levels considered acceptable.
The levels of pollution at Sandy roundabout are known to be excessively high and Central Beds Council (CBC) not only has the responsibility to implement an Air Quality Management Plan but also has been monitoring the situation for many years, apparently with little action taken to improve matters.
While accepting that the A1 is the responsibility of Highways England (HE), there is little evidence that either of these two authorities have taken any significant steps to improve the situation.
The recent consultation done by CBC had a focus on increased use of electric cars, public transport, bicycles and walking for residents but it is the through traffic that is causing the current state of affairs.
Richard Fuller has promised to take these points forward and, at the same, time to bring to the fore actions promised in the meeting held with his predecessor in July last year.
These include a response by the Departments for Transport and Housing, Communities and Local Government to our petition and from Highways England on more immediate improvements to safety on the A1, including the various junctions with minor roads and with the implementation of the speed camera upgrade.
A petition with over 2,300 signatures – generated by the SG19 Road Group – is currently with Grant Shapps, MP – Secretary of State for Transport.
The petition is addressed not only to the Dept for Transport but also to the Dept for Communities which is responsible for authorities such as Central Bedfordshire Council.
The petition exhorts both Depts. to work together to deal with the parlous state of the roads in the SG19 area.
It is hoped that this oversight will trigger a pause in the apparently unstoppable rush to build more houses until greater consideration has been given to the need for improvements to the infrastructure as a whole and the road network in particular.
At a local level, we are waiting to hear from CBC Councillor Ian Dalgarno who visited Sandy in October when we were able to highlight a number of problems. We are awaiting his feedback.
As always, public support is vital so please put suggestions for road improvements where you live on our website. If you have yet to do so, please join the SG19 Group by signing up as a member on our website: www.sg19.org.
It costs nothing, we do not release details to others and we do not bombard folk with e-mail.
