County Councillors Alan Weeks and David Harrison are talking to Parliamentary Candidate Terry Scriven about the poor air quality in the town.

The New Forest District Council has designated the area around Junction Road and Rumbridge Street as an Air Quality Management Area, (AQMA), a measure forced upon it by obligations under The Environment Act.

Terry was briefed about the long-term problems with the closure of the train gates, causing long tail-backs of traffic. The pollution from queues of traffic has risen above acceptable limits and plans are being drawn up to help improve matters.

Terry looked at the monitoring equipment being used by District Council Officers. At present, it looks like signs erected in Junction Road encouraging drivers to switch off have proved ineffective.

Terry says “I think the part of the answer will be to provide motorists with real-time information so that they know how long the gates will be closed. They can then decide to divert away from Junction Road or at least know that it is worthwhile switching the engine off”.

Cllr. Alan Weeks says “As part of the consultation on a draft action plan, I have asked that the possibility of a bridge be looked at. It doesn’t necessarily need to be located in Junction Road. It might well be worth the expense”.

Cllr. David Harrison is keen that lorry traffic is reduced through the town centre. He says “I’m urging the County Council to help by creating a permanent access to Eling wharf directly from the A35. This will reduce lorry traffic in the nearby High Street by 50%. We also need to find other ways of reducing lorry traffic travelling through the town centre by way of restrictions and improved signage”.