Market Hill, Maldon to be become non-charging Clean Air Route
Published on Monday, 22nd July 2024

Monday 22 July 2024…. Maldon District Council has designated Market Hill as a Clean Air Route. The non-charging Route is a voluntary scheme whereby vehicle drivers are asked to use the bypass to access the town centre from the West and South instead of using Market Hill. The intention is to reduce emissions on Market Hill to improve air quality.
There will continue to be no penalties issued to drivers who use Market Hill, but it is hoped people will choose to support the Clean Air Route to help everyone living, working and walking on Market Hill to breathe cleaner air.
For the majority of drivers, modelling data calculates journey times for using the bypass instead will only increase by up to two minutes. By avoiding queuing on Market Hill it will also help to save on fuel costs.
Councillor Richard Siddall, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: “Traffic emissions are the most significant source of air pollution in Maldon and Market Hill has higher levels of nitrogen dioxide than national air quality levels. It is particularly affected because of the gradient of the hill and close proximity of residential properties which reduce the dispersion of exhaust fumes.
“That’s why we have set up this Clean Air Route and we hope vehicle drivers will join us in re-routing their journeys away from Market Hill in order to improve the air for everyone in our town centre."
Last month, to mark Clean Air Day on 20 June, eco club pupils from All Saints Primary School in Maldon learnt about how the new Clean Air Route will contribute towards reducing emissions and the impact of air pollution on their growing lungs.
Frequent Maldon visitor James Taylor said: “I often walk up and down Market Hill to access the supermarkets around Fullbridge and the shops on the High Street. When carrying shopping back up the hill I really notice the exhaust pollution from vehicles on the road. It's unpleasant and unhealthy, so I'd love to breathe some cleaner air here.”
Gill Crawford, Director at Maldon-based Mighty Oak Brewing Company and The Mighty Oak Tap Room said: “All of us here at Mighty Oak are very much in favour of avoiding driving on Market Hill for journeys between North and South Maldon. We actively encourage our entire team to use the bypass whenever possible and have received a positive response from everyone when we explain why. Having an independent business on Maldon’s beautiful and ancient High Street is a huge pleasure for us, but it is a great shame that our customers must endure unnecessary traffic noise and air pollution. We are 100% behind moving traffic away from the centre of Maldon which will benefit all of us and help to create a cleaner, safer and charming hub for everyone to enjoy”.
Colin Anthony, Sales Director at TEMPRD Chocolate Ltd on Goldhanger Road says: “As a company we fully support the Clean Air Route on Market Hill to help lower pollution levels and improve air quality - not just in that immediate area but in the whole of our town. We will avoid Market Hill by using the bypass for both company business and personal journeys, and hope that other businesses, residents and visitors to our town will do the same.”
The Clean Air Route is part of a wider programme of measures by Maldon District Council to encourage active travel and improve air quality on Market Hill. These include enforcement of existing HGV weight restrictions, improving the bus fleet and promoting journeys by foot or bicycle.
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