A FASCINATING fact to have emerged as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

Before the virus broke out we were losing 40,000 prematurely every year in the UK as a result of air pollution.

The drop in traffic on the roads meant cleaner air, that everybody noticed and appreciated.

However, studies have shown that even a small reduction in car use leads to a significant reduction in air pollution, in areas that it matters most (as a result of cars moving swiftly without stopping or being slowed down in traffic).

Previously, people have argued that re-introducing the rail passenger service along the Waterside line would only reduce road traffic a little.

It turns out that this small reduction has a big impact on air quality and saving lives.

Cllr David Harrison

Leader, New Forest District Liberal Democrats