PARTS of Johnstown in Carmarthen have been added to a list of areas monitoring pollution levels in the town.
Old St Clears Road, College Road and Llansteffan Road have all been ring fenced as areas of concern.
Last month these areas had not been added to the list of monitored area — to the disappointment to some councillors.
The decision to include the roads was made at meeting of Carmarthenshire Council.
Executive board member for the environment councillor Jim Jones said: “As part of the air quality monitoring we are adding these areas to it.
“Together with setting up a steering group to formulate an action plan to improve air quality.
“The worst affected areas are the Jobs Well Road junction at the traffic lights in Johnstown, Picton Terrace, Richmond Terrace, Spilman Street and along Priory Street.
The scheme will monitor the level of nitrogen dioxide in the air.Councillor Alun Lenny welcomed the addition of roads to the air quality management monitoring scheme.
“As one of the two councillors that represent the area, I am glad the scheme is being extended to these areas of Carmarthen.
“However, he stated the pollution situation should not be overstated for the Carmarthen.
“The levels are just over what the expected levels should be and that is not too surprising given the success of the town.”We are the fourth busiest town in Wales.”
Fellow town and county councillor Alan Speake said: “I’m pleased that Old St Clears Road and others are being included, even at this late stage, they are extremely busy roads.
“Carmarthen Town Council had previously backed the areas being monitored but also asked the council to look having relevant road markings refreshed, such as ‘Keep Clear’, and Introduction of more fil-lanes to reduce conges-and improve traffic flow.”
Pointing to levels of nitrogen dioxide, Mr Lenny claimed satellite navigation systems could be leading drivers needlessly through Carmarthen instead of using the bypass, which would add to pollution problems.
He also called for a second park and ride scheme to be introduced to the north of the town near Glangwili Hospital.
Mr Lenny said: “The problem is that drivers coming in from the Lampeter direction are having to travel three of four miles to the other side of the town to reach the current park and ride.”
Councillor Pam Palmer said that the recent expansion of the Gwili Railway down into Carmarthen meant there may be some land available from them to develop as a park and ride.
While much was made about pollution in Carmarthen and Llanelli, councillor Sian Caiach called for Llandeilo to be prioritised due to its pollution being higher than both Llanelli and Carmarthen.
She said: “I really think we should be looking at Llandeilo because its figures are higher.”Councillors said they all knew a bypass was needed for Llandeilo.
Councillor for Llandeilo, Edward Thomas thanked councillor Caiach for her concern, adding: “We all know what is needed in Llandeilo, a by pass.
“I’m fed up of writing to aunty Edwina” he said, in a tongue-in-cheek reference to departed AM and former Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science.
“Maybe the new minister will listen,” he added.
“It is an issue in Llandeilo, people are suffering and have asthma.
“Whereas the Welsh Government wants to spend money on a M4 relief road.
“The Llandeilo by pass struggles have been ongoing for several years.
Source: Carmarthen Journal
