Transport is crucial to air quality and health. The amount we use our vehicles directly affects the local air pollution through the emissions produced from our exhausts.

 

There are various pollutants that are released through our exhausts, depending on the fuel we use. These include: Carbon Dioxide, Lead, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, PM10, Sulphur Dioxide, Benzene, 1,3-Butadiene.  It is the responsibility of Hampshire County Council to devise strategies to control vehicle use through Local Transport Plans (LTPs).

 

LTPs are a core part of the Government’s approach to dealing with transport as set out in their White paper ‘A new deal for Transport: Better for everyone.’ The Local Transport Plan is produced by Hampshire County Council, in partnership with East Hampshire and other District Councils.  It identifies area and route transport strategies covering all modes of transport, linking them together as part of a fully integrated plan.  The Local Transport Plan allows the council to move away from short term planning and collate all transport related issues in one document.

 

Over the last ten years road traffic in Hampshire has grown at an alarming rate. More people now own or have access to a car than ever before. Over the next ten years we can expect at least one car for every two people in the county and at the same time we are using our cars more often and for longer journeys. Whilst cars play an important part in everyday life and will continue to do so, unrestrained traffic growth will eventually result in severe congestion and pollution, affecting the economy, the environment and our quality of life.   The entire Local Transport Plan document can be viewed on Hampshire County Council's website.

 

 

There are a number of ways you can help the environment just by changing the way you drive;

 

·        Don’t over rev the engine

·        Drive smoothly

·        Slow down

·        Use higher gears

·        Switch off engine when idling

·        Use air conditioning sparingly

 

Look after your vehicle;