19 July 2017
The results of recent tests in Jersey's tunnel confirm the air quality during peak times is poor.
Environmental Health, part of the Department of the Environment, commissioned a specialist company to carry out the tests and report on the findings.
Ricardo-AEA tested exposure to pollutants during rush hour in the tunnel for:
- a pedestrian
- a cyclist
- a motorist in a closed car with windows open, closed, and with air vents off and on
The company tested for nitrogen oxides, and particulate pollution, both in vehicle emissions, particularly diesels. Levels of nitrogen oxide were also monitored over a three-and-a-half day period.
Ricardo-AEA also tested the air quality levels of the alternative pedestrian route via Snow Hill and found that air quality was much better compared to the tunnel.
To reduce exposure to poor air quality for people using the tunnel, Environmental Health advises:
- drivers should close their windows and switch off air vents
- when stationary, drivers should switch off engines to help reduce the level of pollution they're exposed to
- cyclists and pedestrians should minimise the time they spend in the tunnel.
The alternative route to the tunnel, via Snow Hill, has significantly lower levels of pollution but increases the journey time for a pedestrian by approximately five minutes.
Environmental Health will work with the Department for Infrastructure to review signage at the tunnel for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Environmental Health is also planning to commission further specialist monitoring to inform government policy making.
Link to air quality monitoring in the tunnel report https://www.gov.je/government/pages/statesreports.aspx?reportid=2986
gov.je