I have campaigned for many years on local environmental issues in the Canterbury area. I am a founder member of the Spokes East Kent Cycling Campaign, People Advocating Canterbury's Excellence, Canterbury 4 Clean Air and one of the directors of the Kent Environment and Community Network.

Air pollution is a particular concern of mine. It makes Canterbury an unpleasant and unhealthy place to live, work and visit. It contributes to premature deaths of around 100 people annually in the City and inflicts long term disabilities on countless others, especially on the young, the elderly and the weak.

Concerns about the air pollution limits in Canterbury have been put to Canterbury City Council on many occasions since the 1990s by individuals like me, amenity groups, parish councils and even by a leading public health expert. Despite this, little has been done and since January 2010, Canterbury has breached air pollution limits in key roads around the City. These are marked in red and dark blue below and constitute Canterbury's Air Quality Management Area.  

That is why I am challenging the recently Adopted Canterbury Local Plan because it will not reduce air pollution as legally required. In fact, the Plan will  make matters worse as a result of the 16000 new houses, slip roads, relief roads and other "car-use-facilitating" development.

Vehicular traffic and congestion is the cause of air pollution in Canterbury. Therefore, Canterbury needs a Plan that reduces car use. This is achievable. There is, for example, a pressing need for a fully connected cycle network across the district so that every child and adult can cycle safely to school and work. Low Emission Zones need to be introduced in the Air Quality Management Area in order to reduce air pollution to safe limits. Development needs to be situated in walking distance from key services.

I need to raise £10,000 to cover my anticipated legal costs.Any money remaining will be donated to another Crowdjustice case.