AIR pollution is contributing to nine premature deaths a year in Calne, according to expert Peter Alberry.

The main culprit is small particles emitted from HGV diesel exhausts, which are contributing to 80% of the pollution in the town.

Mr Alberry, who advises the Air Quality Working Group (AQWG), says there are four sites along the A4 that regularly exceed statutory limits.

According to Wiltshire Council data, the roundabout at New Road has the worst levels, with annual pollution almost double the legal limit.

The A4, which runs through the centre of Calne, is used by many lorries, including those travelling to the Hills Waste recycling plant in nearby Lower Compton.

Mr Alberry, a professor of metallurgy at Swansea University, said: “Calne’s air quality started to get really bad in 2010.

“Hills Waste has just grown and grown since it was given planning permission and now there are some 94,000 HGV movements a year.

“Overnight the values drop to around zero, but in the daytime they are much worse, especially in the afternoon when they can be around five times as high.

“There are five schools right next to the A4 and I would be concerned to let kids play with these high levels. It is a real concern.”

Wiltshire Council data shows that during the daytime, emissions at New Road regularly exceed five times the legal limit and in December 2014 reached levels 20 times higher.

Hills Waste Solutions Limited is currently appealing after Wiltshire Council rejected its plan to make the recycling facility permanent.

A strategic planning committee refused the application in June 2015, to the joy of many residents.

“The problem is at certain points when the lorries stop and start,” said Mr Alberry. “The emissions go through the roof as the engines do not work as efficiently.

“We see one HGV lorry through there every two minutes and if it goes up and Hills get their way it will rise from 94,000 to 116,000 movements a year.

“The site is far too large. It is nearly the same size as the biggest in England – Aldridge Waste near Birmingham – and that is served by about five motorways.

“It is a rural waste plant and is just too big. They could move the centre to Stanton St Quintin, which is already on the M4.

“If they moved it, it would reduce waste transport miles, be cheaper for the taxpayer and improve air quality in Calne.”

Hills Waste was approached by the Gazette but did not want to make a comment.