Dear Madam, 

The air quality in this town can only be described as appalling. This is evidenced by the high accumulation of dust and grime that is deposited within our home, on our external surfaces and on our motor vehicles in just one week. It does not bear thinking about what effect such pollution is having on our health and particularly the health of the town’s children.

The origin of this grime is in no small part due to vehicle emissions and in particular from vehicles whose engines are idling whilst waiting at points of traffic congestion. E.g. roundabouts. Very often this congestion is not only confined to peak hours. With the increase in commercial properties and the influx of commuters Basingstoke daily becomes more congested.

This council’s solution to this huge problem appears to be to give sanction to build even more houses and industrial properties. That means more people, more traffic, leading to more congestion and loss of green spaces including the loss  of life sustaining trees.

Wherever one looks there is  some sort of building construction in progress. Whilst I appreciate that people require homes and that there are some measures in place to counter traffic congestion, a major rethink is required as to the balance of expansion with improved infrastructure throughout the town.

It may be that some of the villages should start taking the pain as regards housing development. After all many of the councillors that are making decisions on the housing developments live in the villages and outskirts of the town and do not have to endure the congestion and foul air that we have to tolerate.

Basingstoke is becoming overcrowded and if something is not done to limit expansion and improve infrastructure  the town will most certainly not meet the new council leader’s vision for the future.

With due deference to Ewan Mac Coll who wrote the original song “Dirty Old Town” about his polluted home town of Salford in the 40’s. It’s air is probably cleaner today than ours.

Regards,

Ken Standing, Winklebury.

- Editor's comment

We personally love Basingstoke and we don't think it is over-crowded or 'dirty' at all, but a town on the up.

What do you think? 

Email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk if you would like to respond to the above letter.