Nitrogen Dioxide levels which are monitored at various locations around the town recorded a decrease in annual average levels from 36.32 ug/m2 to 32.91 ug/m3, about a 10% reduction overall.
It is no coincidence that this reduction in the levels, and the corresponding improvement in air quality, coincides with the introduction of on-street parking enforcement in the town centre.
Nitrogen Dioxide is a traffic related pollutant and one of the main factors that causes increased levels of this pollutant and thus reduced air quality are stationary vehicles with their engines running.
Prior to the introduction of the ParkRight parking attendants in late 2006, queuing traffic in the main roads of the town was a regular occurrence.
Vigorous enforcement by freeing up the loading, bus bays and yellow line restrictions has made improvements to the movement of vehicles with drivers now being able to find a parking space to carry out their business without having to queue because of illegally or inconsiderately parked vehicles.
Pedestrians and cyclists have also been beneficiaries of this improvement in air quality along with residents, shoppers and staff who regularly use the town centre.
The improvement of local air quality is one of the policies of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council in making Shrewsbury a healthy place to live and work. To this end, the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan contains a number of proactive measures including increased on-street parking enforcement.
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