UK Edition
Cornwall looking to move families from their homes in cost-cutting anti-air pollution measure
Families living in idyllic Cornish towns face being relocated from their homes over cost cutting air pollution proposals.
Cornwall has identified seven air pollution hotspots and in a bid to protect families living in those areas have proposed to relocated those effected rather than build a costlier bypass.
Cornwall Council has raised the option of compulsory purchases of properties, which it admits will be "very controversial", in areas with "particularly poor air quality".
It claims the move would be cheaper than alternative measures such as building bypasses to take diesel vehicles away from pollution hotspots.
The council says it has a statutory duty to tackle air pollution and had identified Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Bodmin, Tideford, Gunnislake, St Austell, Truro and Camelford as affected areas and is seeking legal advice on compulsory purchase options.
A report on the issue said: “The project would involve development of land in a suitable nearby location to create a new neighbourhood where those exposed to the poorest air quality could be provided with a new property . . . through compulsory purchase or an optional swap.”
Options include removing homes to widen roads to help traffic flow, temporarily evacuating properties for a few years until the situation is under control and fining motorists for keeping their engines running while parked.
Geoff Brown, the council’s Liberal Democrat cabinet member for communities, told The Times: “A bypass would cost tens of millions but to relocate somebody might cost thousands so it might be a cost-effective option. It would absolutely be a last resort but we should keep it [under consideration].
“The most important thing is the welfare of people in that community and if the only way is to relocate them, still within their own community but to a different location, perhaps that’s something we ought to explore.”
Anna Heslop, a lawyer for ClientEarth, the campaign group that succeeded in a HighCourt action to secure a tougher air quality plan, said Cornwall council’s proposal “shows they understand the desperate need for action”.
But said the source needs "tackling" rather than relocated people.
"Central government has to do more to help local authorities tackle illegal and harmful levels of air pollution," she said.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, will introduce a £10 “toxicity change” for diesel cars later this year and Birmingham council said that it might impose a city centre charge on diesel cars.