Roads Could Be Covered In Pollution-Absorbing Tunnels in bid to cut pollution in the UK.
In March 2017, it was revealed by the World Health Organization that pollution levels are now a higher risk to health than Ebola and HIV – and is responsible for one in four deaths among children aged under five.
The pollution levels in the UK -especially London- are on a constant rise, with London at one point having higher air pollution levels than Beijing. Methods of action are already being taken to prevent this, with the announcement that diesel and petrol cars will be banned from 2040 in order to reduce the amount of toxic fumes and encourage growth in the electric vehicle market.
However, a method which could be seen happening much earlier than this involves pollution-absorbing tunnels. The idea -which is still being looked in to- is to turn major roads into tunnels covered in a material that absorbs toxic emission fumes in order to improve air quality.
The Guardian reported this being inspired by a Dutch scheme in which structured canopies are constructed over some of the most ‘polluted’ sections of road to prevent local residents breathing in noxious car fumes. The plans are outlined in an air improvement strategy plan. Officials say they are investing millions of pounds in new technology to improve air quality around roads in the next five years. The Department of Transport predicts traffic volumes are expected to increase by 55% between 2010 and 2040.
£100 million has been set aside by the Government to improve air quality through to 2021, and the strategy released sets out how that money will be spent. It also includes a target to put a charging point for electric cars every 20 miles on 95% of the road network.
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