Air quality near the M3

Your Lib Dem campaign team continues to monitor the impact of the new smart motorway system recently installed along the Farnborough section of the M3 motorway.

Prior to the hard shoulder being turned into a fourth lane we asked what the impact would be on local residents in relation to noise, vibration and air quality. We have asked them again now the smart motorway is active how this will now be monitored and when the results will be evaluated and when we will hear a report back.

We also asked about issues like speed and how breakdowns would be handled with no hard shoulder in place. These issues we are told should be handled by the smart motorway system which quickly identifies problems and sends out the relevant help and the new signage quickly indicates where problems are occurring.

Over the past year there has been a lot of press coverage about the impact of motorways that are near housing and schools not just the M3. Highways England have been mentioned in the press as to looking into various schemes. These include bizarre schemes like creating a tunnel over the motorway (good for local residents-not so good for those driving along the motorway) using a material that can clean the air, to a more sensible option of reducing the speed limit to 60 during the rush hour.

The RAC has argued that pollution should be reduced by a push towards ultra-low and zero emission vehicles and reduced speed limits which encourage better flow of traffic. So Lib Dems welcome the government's recent push for electric vehicles.

Whilst to many travel along the M3 without getting caught in traffic jams will be the priority, Lib Dems feel that this should be balanced with a good quality of life for those living nearby the motorway - good air quality and low noise pollution. It's reported that air pollution is linked to 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats would introduce an Air Quality Plan to reduce air pollution, and generate jobs and exports by supporting green industries that manufacture electric and low-emission vehicles.

Pollution costs the NHS £15 billion and in 2017 London exceeded its annual air pollution target in just five days.

If you have a view on this issue please let us know.