People Before Profit’s Adrian Curran says Galway’s newly-installed air quality sensor shows the huge level of work needed to be done in the west of Ireland to promote the use of public transport.
Since the installation of the sensor in January, more than 80 per cent of days have exceeded the World Health Organisation limit for daily NO2 emissions.
“The levels of pollution in Galway city show the prioritisation of private vehicles over people,” Curran says. “Anyone sitting in Eyre Square, working in the area, or even passing through are being effectively poisoned.
“Air pollution can affect human health by exacerbating asthma and may lead to heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and lower birth weights.
“We need to move towards free public transport, as well as facilitating active travel – that means more pedestrianisation, more cycleways, and less car demand. This will benefit not just us immediately but also future generations.”
