MICRA has been set up in response to the usual failures of council consultation, common sense and lack of forward planning.

Last year Liverpool was categorised as an Air Quality Management Zone. Even a 40% reduction in traffic would still leave Liverpool with problems, yet the council has failed to come up with an action plan within the required 12 month period. At the same time, plans to build the tramline are continuing to stall, and no doubt the council will attempt to pass blame on this one.

The traffic plan proposed by the council is going to take the traffic from Dale Street through the heart of residential areas just to the north. Byrom St, Leeds St, Vauxhall Road and Great Crosshall St will then take up all of the traffic flow. This will result in an estimated increase in traffic to this area of 23.6% by 2009.

These four roads hem in one of Liverpool's last city centre residential areas. This area includes a school (something missed out on the original independent assessment) and will suffer the full effects of this increased pollution. There are also over 1500 student beds in the city centre halls likely to be affected.

Over 1 in 6 incidents of cot death can be attributable to pollution from traffic. Asthma is higher than ever before, with 1 in 8 children now diagnosed with this condition. Is this really a sensible "green" decision by the city council?

There will be a protest march from Marybone to Millenium House where the decision on this scheme is being made on Wednesday 1st September (assemble 8.30am - precise details to follow). There will also be a residents meeting on the evening of August 31st to discuss the appeals procedure if the council gives this decision the go ahead.

For more details, please email and I can put you in contact with MICRA.