THE air quality on Wilderspool Causeway has been so poor for so long that it has been part of an Air Quality Maintenance Area (AQMA) since 2016.

AQMAs are only put in place by councils when air pollution exceeds national standards.

Warrington Borough Council now has an obligation to monitor and tackle this problem.

Yet this said, the council is proposing to build hundreds of new homes on the old rugby ground and also behind Colas on Loushers Lane.

This can only add to the problem by creating more traffic and thereby more emissions.

Moreover the bus lane on Wilderspool Causeway is now closed to cars at peak times between 7.30am and 9.30am and then again between 4.30pm and 6.30pm meaning that more cars are concentrated in just one lane for longer and idling engines are adding to the problem.

Poor air quality affects everyone but especially the most vulnerable such as children, older people and those with breathing difficulties.

It is thought that around 145 deaths each year in Warrington are caused by air pollution.

There has to be a better way for the residents of Warrington and for the environment.

RITA CURTIN Warrington