By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
Air pollution levels in Southampton have almost halved as people have been urged to stay at home.
New data have revealed that levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the city have fallen since the government urged residents to stay at home in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Nitrogen dioxide is released from car exhausts and is considered to be a serious air pollutant which indirectly contributes to the warming of the planet.
The new figures have revealed that levels of NO2 on the A33 in Southampton have fallen from an average of 40.1 micrograms per cubic metre between March 19 and 26 last year, to 21.9 micrograms per cubic metre between March 17 and 24 this year.
The average also dropped in Southampton city centre, going from 33.3 micrograms per cubic metre between March 19 and 26 2019, to 20.9 micrograms per cubic metre between March 17 and 24 2020.
The news has been welcomed by campaigners.
Lyn Brayshaw, co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth Southampton, said there are lessons to be learnt.
“We can learn what is a necessary journey and what is not,” she added.
Ms Brayshaw also said: “Some other people would realise that they don’t need to be getting in their cars, they can go shopping by foot and bike. Some people will still need a car but hopefully we can realise how nice the city can be.”
Earlier this year Southampton City Council unveiled the Green City Charter’s delivery plan in a bid to tackle pollution.
The plan includes proposals for fewer parking spaces in the city centre, 5,000 new trees and 25 urban meadows across the city.
Cllr Steve Leggett, cabinet member for green city and environment at the city council, had previously highlighted a number of measures that the authority is already taking to fight pollution.
These include more cycle lanes, charging points for electric vehicles and support to taxi companies that are asked to switch to less polluting cars.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the authority whether the recent figures will have an impact on the Green City Charter’s delivery plan and whether the plans would be delayed.
The city council said all coronavirus-related enquiries are being prioritised and it was unable to immediately provide a comment.
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