In order to remediate parts of the environment I first began by researching air pollution in Huddersfield and ways to prevent and mediate the effects of it.
Looking at PM2.5 related deaths where Huddersfield is placed 8th in the country as well as 3rd in the country for air pollution related deaths - it can be concluded that the issue of air pollution needs to be addressed for the sake of the health of the environment as well as the health of the population.
Potential causes could be the poor vehicular circulation within Huddersfield, where road layouts force masses of stationary traffic near pedestrianised areas which will have a direct link to respiratory diseases, as well as the densely populated town centre with both pedestrianised areas as well as vehicular and bus routes. Due to the nature of the layout of the roads within Huddersfield, there are large volumes of space where high density traffic passes pedestrianised areas on a regular basis.
Looking at schemes such as 'Clean Air Greater Manchester' it can be seen that local councils are beginning to recognise the detrimental effects of air pollutions amongst their constituents and are beginning to take the steps mitigate the topic. This approach to air pollution is a prevention rather than remediation however the scheme is still applicable to the Huddersfield Urban Study to achieve the theme of a Utopic, bio-diverse and carbon neutral city.
Greater Manchester, the nearest city to Huddersfield and a significant neighbour in the Northern Power House - is a good example to look at when a city with old road layouts and large communities within the borough. The aim of the 'Clean Air Greater Manchester' is to revisit the existing road layouts within the boundary, identify locations where Nitrogen Dioxide is already at unacceptable or in some cases illegal levels and propose 'clean air charges/fairs' in those areas with the aim to re-direct traffic onto motorways or heavy junk roads with are not effected by the proposals. Daily 'clean air zone fairs' are to be introduced at a daily rate for a variety of vehicles - specifically targeting those with high air pollution output, however grants and schemes have also been put in place to encourage people to upgrade their vehicles to a 'cleaner engine', where they can then be exempt from the charges.
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