The findings of passive diffusion tube monitoring at different sites in the Dungiven Air Quality Management Area for 2007 by Limavady Borough Council's environmental health department show an increase in the 2006 figures with readings in both years well in excess of the annual mean national air quality objective of 40µg/m3.
During the 2006 monitoring levels of NO2 ranged from 41.7µg/m3 and 56.88µg/m3. The 2007 figures show annual mean NO2 concentration levels of 43.96µg/m3 to 68.86µg/m3, however following bias adjustments (x 0.89) in line with current technical guidance, the figures were 39.12µg/m3 to 61.23µg/m3.
It was found that the highest readings were found close to the Main Street/Ballyquin Road junction and the lowest readings were recorded in New Street with NO2 concentration levels of 20.50µg/m3 (after bias adjustments).
The Council's environmental health department have found that the primary source of NO2 emissions within Dungiven is traffic and they commented that the only feasible way to tackle the existing pollution problem in the town is to construct a bypass. A report into the pollution in Dungiven reveals that whilst a by-pass is in the pipeline it will not be built for several years and this will not allow for nitrogen dioxide levels to be reduced by the 2010 target date as laid down by the EU.
Reacting to the latest statistics on the NO2 levels in the town, Dennis Hegarty, chairman of the Dungiven By-pass Committee, said: "These latest figures confirm what we had feared that the pollution problem is getting worse and unfortunately it would appear we will have to wait a considerable length of time before the situation is remedied.
"As things stand, the Dungiven by-pass is part of the A6 dualling scheme and won't be built until all the preliminary work is completed on the whole 30 kilometre project. This will take years as hundreds of land and property owners will be involved and it is our opinion that the Dungiven by-pass will not be built for at least ten years and possibly a lot longer.
"Are the people of Dungiven expected to suffer this serious pollution and dangerous health hazard which is increasing year by year? It would appear that this is the case. In our meeting with DRD Minister Conor Murphy he insisted that the Dungiven by-pass would remain part of the A6 dualling scheme and that no construction would commence until all the preliminary work on the
whole project is completed.
"The people of Dungiven are calling for the by-pass to be built as soon as possible as this is the only way the pollution problem can be tackled. We must get the by-pass separated from the A6 dualling scheme so that this 2.3 kilometre roadway can go ahead without having to wait for the larger scheme to be prepared. The health of the community is at risk and this serious problem must be speedily addressed."
A delegation from the Dungiven By-pass Committee will travel to Stormont to put their case for the speedy building of the by-pass to the DRD Committee on July 2.