Madam,

A major report from Public Health England in 2014 concluded that, in 2010, there were nearly 29,000 premature deaths in the UK as a direct result of air pollution, in particular, particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5).

Particulate matter is one of the pollutants emitted by diesel engines. The figure for Wales was estimated at 1,320. Just to be clear, 1,320 people living in Wales had their lives cut short by an average of 10 years directly as a result of exposure to poor air quality. The study also concluded that there is no known safe limit for particulate matter and that there are implications for public health even at low levels. While mortality rates are affected by long term exposure to PM 2.5, there are health implications for short term exposure, too, as it can exacerbate asthma, impair lung function and increase the likelihood of hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. The full report can be found at www.gov.uk

Given the number of heavy vehicles using the A40 bypass, it is reasonable to assume that the levels of particulate matter adjacent to the dual carriageway are likely to be undesirably high and a potential irritant to anyone in the vicinity. Unfortunately, Monmouthshire County Council only monitors the levels of nitrogen dioxide in this area, using basic diffusion tubes, so there is currently no way of knowing how high the levels of particulate matter actually are. 

However, air pollution is not the only problem associated with the dual carriageway. The Welsh Assembly Government has designated the stretch of dual carriageway from the Gibraltar Tunnels to the golf course turning as a Noise Action Planning Priority Area due to the unacceptably high level of noise from the traffic on this road. Nick Ramsay AM has even petitioned the Welsh Government on this issue on behalf of residents living close to the dual carriageway.

We live in changing times and things are very different now from what they were in the 1960s when the Chippenham playground was first constructed. There was far less traffic using the A40 in those days, but also, the dangers posed to children by certain types of individuals were not generally recognised. No one anticipated the potential problems of siting a playground in such a secluded area. Nowadays, the recommendations are that playgrounds should be in highly visible locations to ensure social protection of children, and to also prevent vandalism. 

It is difficult to envisage a more inappropriate location for a children’s playground than the one where it is currently sited. I cannot quite understand why some people have such an objection to relocating it to somewhere more suitable. 

My family has lived in Monmouth for generations and I would not want us to lose any more of Chippenham Mead to private enterprises, but that is not the issue, here. We are simply talking about moving an existing playground from one place to another.

Chippenham is for the benefit of everyone, including children, and it must evolve to suit the needs of each generation according to the times. It is not some kind of sacred relic which is to be looked at but not touched. I don’t think, for one minute, that that was what was intended when it was given to the people of Monmouth. It is for all of us to use and enjoy and moving the playground to somewhere more appropriate, where children can play in safety and comfort, can only improve it.

Ann Were