Well the Mersey Gateway finally has been given the green light. I don't think anyone will be surprised and of course it's the Tory Party's beneficiaries that will be gaining the most ie big business.
I believe that we should be investing to create jobs in infrastructure but not of this variety. Whatever anyone says it will increase air borne pollution in the long term. Pollution that will contribute to climate change. Climate Change is the biggest challenge we face. The monies being spent on a second crossing should be being spent on industries that are likely to counter climate change directly.
Speaking selfishly and locally the majority of Halton's residents will not benefit at all from a second crossing. There will undoubtedly be costs - tolls on the new bridge which will have to reflect the likely soaring costs, tolls on the existing bridge and many environmental negatives.
But in this blog I'd like to highlight local health. We are blighted here by much higher than average rates of morbidity and mortality. No doubt lifestyle factors come into this and also that the borough has some areas of high social and economic deprivation.
Against this background the council is forging ahead (no doubt with the good intention of attracting industry here) of making Halton THE Freight Distribution hub of the north west. (See other blog material in archive regading this subject). The second crossing would seem to be an integral part of these plans.
According to council figures if all the planned freight distribution projects in the pipeline come to fruition there will be an increase in HGV traffic on Halton's roads of at least 500 vehicles every 24 hour cycle. This is a very conservative estimate. My calculations suggest double this amount. Now keep these figures in your head and consider the following.
Earlier this year (February 2010) the House of Commons Environmental Audit cttee considered research evidence that looked at what the most recent studies were indicating about the effects of increasing levels of traffic diesel emissions in the UK. (see 23.3.10 blog for further information on this research). It suggested that we have completely underestimated the health consequences of these emissions
Incidences of cardiovascular and lung disease related to mainly traffic emissions has increased dramatically in the UK. Of specific concern is the increase in childhood lung disease and complications in pregnancy in areas where there is high exposure near (within 500 metres of) major roads. According to research this applies to 12 million homes in England alone.
Giving evidence Prof Frank Kelly, Kings College stated,
“that the govt …and local councils had to act decisively in the same way as they had over obesity and smoking…we need to reduce the number of diesel vehicles on roads by 20 – 30%".
The second crossing, which is very much the cornerstone of the council's economic development plans for Halton, is certainly not going to be of assistance in tackling this particular problem here in Halton.
