In 2024 over 100 people died from road side pollution in Trafford

As we leave 2024 it will be remembered for all the political turmoil and distress of what our current government has and will be doing in the new year.

However one of the serious issues that has barely been mentioned if at all in Trafford is with our rising pollution issues.

In 2024 a total of 125 people died in Trafford attributable from road side pollution, The highest was 146 in 2019, this is unacceptable.

During the year levels of NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) have been much higher during the year, PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) has been high and levels of Ozone has also been higher, levels of SO2 (Sulphur Dioxide) was off the scale during the summer months.

With the new housing developments and more people means inevitably more cars and vans this will mean extra pollution, with Trafford only having pollution monitors in a handful of places it won’t help with detection.

Pollution can also be from industry and even can come in from Europe depending on wind direction, even Sahara sand can contribute to pollution levels.

In 2025 we hope the council will do more to reduce pollution levels and to look at more than just Defra as a source of information.