CORNWALL Council is asking people in Camelford for their views on declaring the town an Air Quality Management Area.

Councils are required to monitor air quality in their area against national targets and to declare areas with poor air quality as Air Quality Management Areas.

Because the A39 passes through Camelford, Cornwall Council has been keeping an eye on the town’s levels of nitrogen dioxide, which comes from car and lorry exhaust. Long term monitoring has confirmed that areas of Camelford, including Fore Street and High Street, have excessive levels of traffic related nitrogen dioxide and that an Air Quality Management Area is needed to improve matters.

Rob Rotchell, Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and the town mayor, said: “The consultation is a good opportunity for people to find out more about the air quality in Camelford and have their say. We want as many local people as possible to tell us what they think about declaring the Air Quality Management Area and share their ideas about how local air quality could be improved.”

Cllr Geoff Brown, portfolio holder for communities, said: “The declaration of this new Air Quality Management Area is an important positive step towards improving the quality of the air in our county.

“Once the Air Quality Management Area is officially designated through a legal order, we can begin work on the action plan to improve Camelford’s air quality. I would encourage all residents to respond to the consultation, as your opinions really matter.”

The consultation period runs until November 28, and there will be a public drop-in exhibition at the Camelford Hall, Clease Hall, on November 9 from 3pm until 7pm, with staff from the council’s Public Protection team being on hand to answer any questions.

Anyone can comment on the Camelford proposals at the drop-in exhibition, or by completing an online survey, emailing the council on [email protected], posting their comments to the council or handing them in at the One Stop Shop. There is also an opportunity to comment on the Clean Air for Cornwall strategy, which covers air quality for the whole of Cornwall.

After the consultation closes, all comments will be considered and the Camelford Air Quality Management Area will be officially designated. There are six other Air Quality Management Areas in Cornwall.

For more information and to access the online survey for Camelford, visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/airquality