Maynooth Cycling Campaign welcomes the public consultation on National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022 and the proposed expansion in the monitoring nationally.

We note from the Consultation Paper that

            The criteria for the selection of Tier 2 AQIH monitoring stations ……….. is as follows:

1. a) Inclusion of all urban areas with populations greater than 15,000. The rationale for inclusion of these areas is to provide information to the public on air quality in those            areas of highest population density.

We propose that Maynooth be added to the towns monitored on the basis that its population is above the 15,000 threshold ie 15,909 according to the results of the 2016 Census. Although the people of Maynooth are currently highly car dependent, the National Transport Authority is providing funding for improved walking and cycling facilities so the town would potentially be a good location to monitor changing air quality resulting from transport modal change.

Yours sincerely,

Maynooth Cycling Campaign