Meeting at a member’s home on Wednesday, May 17, the group of six were greeted by friendly little Poppy, a Jack Russell, and offered coffee and biscuits to start their discussions.
Chair of the Camelford Clean Air Group, Claire Hewlett, also a town councillor, brought the meeting to a start by reporting back to the group that the whole city of Truro is now an air quality management area (AQMA), and that there are some areas of the Cornish capital that have reached 90ug/m3.
Peter Guesford, who was recently sworn in as a town councillor, said: “It’s terrible; we should support them really.”
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Truro does, however, have a plan of action in place, including suggested measures such as new Park and Ride sites, improved traffic signals, better walking and cycling routes and a northern access route, which would open up access to development land linking the Royal Cornwall Hospital and the industrial estate. The road has been designed to relieve traffic on the A390 in the Threemilestone and Treliske areas, and would be reliant on the developments at Maiden Green and Willow Green going ahead.
According to Claire, this is because the community infrastructure levy will be used to pay for the road improvements. Similarly, Camelford is having more housing that could be paid for in a similar way, but this decision is driven by Cornwall Council.
Regarding Camelford’s housing situation, the group pointed out that the recently developed Ocean Housing site still has many homes that are empty and not selling. They raised concerns about the possibility of even more housing — with two recent proposals for 104 developments at Valley Truckle from Wainhomes, and 39 houses at Tregoodwell from Bell Cornwell — stating that more houses equals more traffic and cars being brought into the town.
Claire continued her update, and said that ‘air quality is now in the same envelope as the neighbourhood plan’ for the town council.
She said that she has spoken with Francis Doney, transport manager at Davidstow Creamery, regarding trialling a relief route for the heavy goods vehicles from this area. Claire will get back in touch with Francis to discuss the matter further.
Another member of the group, John Green, said that there is still a congestion argument surrounding heavy goods vehicles and lorries, even if some believe they are not contributing more to the air pollution problem than other vehicles.
John said: “There are a number of questions at pinpoints — lorries can be a nightmare.”
Peter explained that most lorries that upgrade to euro six diesel, which is the latest form of diesel, are extremely low in emissions and that ‘trucks are pumping out less than a car’. He added: “It doesn’t mean they are pumping out NO2, etcetera.”
However, Jane Sleeman still thinks lorries are a big part of the issue, due to the amount of stopping and starting on hills, as well as holding other vehicles up in the area. She said: “Everything that is held up by them (lorries) is pumping out NO2.”
Claire explained that she had received word from Cornwall Council, which reported that a team have started on a high level route assessment, and is ‘assembling whatever data is available’. The meeting heard that the time scales for the delivery of the draft report still remain as September 2017, and that a meeting with an engineer could be arranged, who would collect the data.
She also updated the group about Chris Grayling MP, the Secretary of State for Transport’s visit to Camelford in early May, who was invited to Camelford by Scott Mann, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for North Cornwall, to look at ways of facilitating a bypass in the town. Mr Grayling told Claire that money will be made available in the autumn, as announced in the spring budget.
Claire said: “He (Chris Grayling) said there was going to be money available, and that it will be competitively allocated. He also said it is up to Cornwall Council to put the bid in, so basically, they’ve got to fight for us.”
The group suggested looking to other county councillors around the area, to add weight to the case.
Alan Burgis, also a town councillor, said: “He (Chris Grayling) did say that the money will be very competitively fought over though, so we need to put across a strong case.”
John said: “I want them (Cornwall Council) to fight for what we want. They have to grant our wishes, and fight our case.”
Peter said: “We’ve got to make enough noise so it’s noticeable.”
He suggested inviting television crews down to Camelford to look at the town’s housing, pollution and traffic problem. He said: “Get them down here on a bad day, and almost embarrass Cornwall Council.”
In early 2017, BBC One’s Inside Out South West did a feature on Camelford, as did the BBC Spotlight news team. During these features, they highlighted residents’ concerns for their health and future in the town, including the suggestion of a compulsory purchase order, which was soon dashed by town mayor, Rob Rotchell.
Peter said: “Can we pull up a writ and threaten with county action against our health? Will they then start acting?”
Jane went on to explain that ever since Christmas, she has felt the harsh realities of the pollution, with growing concerns for her health.
Peter said: “It’s a sign it’s damaging your health.”
Alan, who lives in one of the most badly affected areas of Camelford, added that he was told he was asthmatic a few years ago, and now uses two inhalers to help him through the day.
Another member said: “I avoid the town centre during the holidays, or else I’m wheezing like a train!”
The group previously wanted to obtain some figures from local GPs regarding the number of people with health issues that could possibly link with the air pollution crisis in the town. However, they were told they would be unable to access this due to confidentiality.
John said that the authorities need to declassify the road, which is titled an A-road.
The group agreed that they would have to speak to portfolio holders for transport, community and health at Cornwall Council, and also suggested ‘getting something started’ in Truro, possibly a similar action group.
Alan suggested filming an interview regarding the congestion, and the first day of the Royal Cornwall Show on June 8 seemed a fitting time to do so.
Many people travelling to and from Wadebridge often pass through Camelford during this time, and with the show looking at thousands of people in attendance figures each year, this causes chaos for Camelford — particularly on the first day and the Saturday.
Alan also thought it might be an idea to invite health professionals from Plymouth or Truro to have a look and be interviewed, giving their professional opinion on what pollution could do to residents’ health.
John said: “Cornwall Council have different priorities, and that’s understandable. But what we’re saying is, health is the greatest priority — health and safety.”
Jane added: “I think people think — those living around the area — that this doesn’t affect them.”
John said: “We need to make it impossible for heavy goods vehicles to get through the town.
The group then came up with a plan of action, which included speaking to different businesses that could be effected by the air pollution, getting in touch with Cornwall Council staff and also Cornwall Councillors around Camelford, including Dominic Fairman (Lib Dem) for St Teath, St Breward and Delabole, Barry Jordan (Conservative) for Tintagel and Boscastle, and Rob Rotchell (Lib Dem) for Camelford.
The group is also planning to contact councillors in other network areas, such as Bude and Stratton, for further support.
Jane suggested having an air quality management area sign erected for people as they enter and exit Camelford, or even something that asks motorists to switch off their engines if they are waiting in a queue, and asked that it be brought to Camelford Town Council’s next full council meeting.
Town councillors, Claire, Alan and Peter agreed to request it be added to a future agenda.