The city councillor behind an initiative to roll out air pollution monitoring in some of Cork’s residential neighbourhoods has expressed disappointment that his proposals are being rejected because of budget constraints.

Workers’ Party city councillor in Cork, Ted Tynan, said:
“The motion I proposed to Cork city council would have seen the council to work in tandem with UCC’s Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry (CRAC) to monitor air pollution on the city’s north ring road in the Mayfield area.

“That highly residential area is blighted by a constant line of heavy goods vehicles, and there is absolutely no accountability as to what impact these commercial vehicles are having on quality of life in the community. Air pollution has a massive impact on quality of life, but those responsible for it are just not being held to account.”

The motion was rejected by Cork city council officials on cost grounds. Tynan continued:
“In this age of environmental awareness, it is astoundingly short-sighted that a motion aimed to improve air quality would be rejected on cost grounds. What hope have we of tackling the environmental challenges we face if we are limited to the rigid rules of austerity?

“Environmental concerns are being used to justify increased waste charges for ordinary people. But when it comes to massive companies creating environmental damage in our neighbourhoods, all driven by their own profit, we see no willingness for action at all.”

Cllr. Tynan concluded:
“I intend to continue to pursue this issue. If we bow to the profit and austerity agenda, environmental concerns will never be addressed properly, and the consequences of this will be disastrous.”

NOTE
The full text of the motion proposed by Cllr. Tynan is as follows:
“In light of heavy diesel powered goods vehicles travelling from Silverspring’s Hotel through to Ballyvolane Service Station, including in particular the Tinker’s Cross Mayfield Shopping Centre area, that Cork City Council would employ the services of the Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry (CRAC) to carry out an air quality survey in the area.

“Surveys to be carried out at peak traffic times on a similar basis to the survey recently carried out in St. Patrick’s Street and surrounding streets by CRAC under the auspices of 96FM.”