How is traffic in Glastonbury? Too much? Not enough?

Are you concerned about the increase in traffic or about air pollution? More importantly do you feel you can do anything about it?

Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK, with between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year attributed to long-term exposure.

There is strong evidence that air pollution causes the development of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and lung cancer, and exacerbates asthma. It accounts for about 8.3 per cent of deaths and cost the economy around £40 billion each year.

Air pollution in towns has been a hot topic for many years but until recently no-one had been legally recorded as having died from air pollution in the UK. Now they have - a little girl who lived in London.

But if you feel the air is clean enough what about noise? Exhaust fumes, smells? The possibility of accidents?

Of course, we all like life to be convenient for us and we are grateful for the freedom our own transport gives us - we appreciate car parking spaces near where we want to be, maybe right outside the shops.

But what about people who prefer to walk or cycle? Or maybe they use a mobility scooter – are they all accommodated? Are the roads safe for them and for children and slow walkers?

The Public Health England (2018) report makes a number of suggestions such as using hedge screening, encouraging low emission vehicles, installing electric vehicle charge points, creating wider streets, investing in clean public transport, promoting cycling and walking as an alternative, and redesigning cities so people do not live and work on highly polluting roads.

So how would any of those suggestions work in Glastonbury? Is there any room for hedge screening? Can our streets be widened?

There are a few EV charging points, but how many can afford an electric vehicle? Is the local bus company in a position to start using electric or hydrogen-powered buses? That would be wonderful.

We have a number of shared cycling and walking paths throughout the town but are these maintained so that the paths are kept clear of vegetation?

A local group was doing this work until recently in concert with council contractors IdVerde who kindly removed the bags of clippings left at the roadside - Somerset County Council were unable to keep the paths clear due to lack of budget and manpower, we were told.

And it would surely be very difficult to redesign an ancient town like Glastonbury and frankly, who would want to?

How about a 20mph speed limit throughout the town? Could we become a slow calm drive town?

It would certainly make for a quieter environment and reduce the risk of accidents and pollution.

Until recently the High Street was trialling a one-way system but this was abruptly stopped with no notice it seems. Do you have a comment to make about this?

Do you favour a one-way High Street or a closed High Street? Could deliveries be made at the rear of shops?

Could those with blue badges only be permitted to park in the High Street? There are several car parks very near to the shops, supermarkets, churches and medical centres.

Your comments, ideas and suggestions on the above are vital if we are to reduce emissions in town from vehicles and businesses.

And it is imperative that we do this as soon as possible to try and prevent flooding, loss of wildlife, compromised human health and many other issues due to climate change and global heating. We would be very grateful for your ideas, suggestions and opinions.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods Group