MORE than 70 per cent of neighbourhoods in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are exposed to air pollution levels above the recommended safety limit. 

Analysis by Friends of the Earth has revealed 169 neighbourhoods in the conurbation were exposed to air pollution exceeding the World Health Organisation’s recommended safety limit – or 73 per cent. 

This meant approximately 293,000 people were breathing polluted air in the area in 2022 in the BCP area.

Pollution has been linked to up to 36,000 premature deaths every year in the UK. 

Poole resident Adam Osman, founder of Cycling Rebellion, said he is “not surprised” by the numbers, blaming the reliance on cars as the subsequent high levels of pollution as a leading factor. 

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He said: “Nobody is saying we need a world without cars. In the past, not everybody had a car but now everybody does have one. 

“We need to give people other options of getting around, and these can include buses and bicycles.

Read more: Air pollution in BCP exceeds World Health Organisation limits

“People need to see that there is an alternative, but the cycle lanes need to be linked up and have a physical barrier between the road and lane. People deserve a choice.” 

He added: “When cycling down some parts, such as Winton high street, you can feel the air quality is just horrendous.” 

%image('17361579', type="article-full", alt="Angela Pooley of East Dorset Friends of the Earth") Angela Pooley of East Dorset Friends of the Earth said change can come on the school run, where the dirty air can affect '58,000 children in 89 schools in the 169 neighbourhoods'. 

“People can walk their children to school as many people don’t live that far from schools,” she said. “There are 'bikeability' courses which can help get children into schools. 

“This data sends a message out to every one of us that there needs to be a difference and we need to get out of our cars and onto bikes or buses.

Read more: Climate protesters take to Bournemouth protesting COP27

“We really need to consider an alternative: not just for us, but for future generations.” 

Nitrogen dioxide is pumped into the air from vehicles, which can affect the respiratory system and is associated with higher mortality rates.  

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It is especially dangerous for children as it increases their risk of respiratory infection and may lead to poorer lung function in later life. 

Last year, Bournemouth ranked 99 in the world's top 100 most congested places by research from TomTom. 

Morebus, which has recently invested £7.7m in a new fleet of greener buses, encourages residents to ditch cars in favour of its services, arguing that up to 75 cars can be taken off the road by a full double-decker. 

Derek Heritage, Bournemouth's first bicycle mayor has called for more people to take up cycling and walking, saying it would go a "long way" to reduce dirty air.

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He said: "There is a better way to travel within the BCP area and I'm mindful of the financial restraints facing the council but some simple measures such as reducing the default speed limit to 20mph with certain considered exceptions has proven to reduce air pollution in every area it has been introduced.

"Also, why can't we start with some car-free zones starting with Christchurch high street; the busiest and most pleasant experience is on market day [so] why can't this be car-free seven days per week?

"This could be introduced quickly and cheaply to the benefit of all and improve air quality in a busy area."