From Tanja Katarina Rebel, Cowes:

Recently the Isle of Wight Council stated it strongly opposed a Southampton Clean Air Zone as it would harm tourism and business on the Isle of Wight.

Apart from the bizarre situation where the Island council seems to think it is OK for polluting vehicles coming to the Island to continue endangering Southampton’s residents’ health, am I right in concluding the council — despite all the nice words at its environmental conference — is still putting the economy before the environment?

If not, then I would like to see the following action urgently implemented:

1) A comprehensive Island-wide, separate, commutable cycle network.

2) An Island clean-air zone, including car-free town centres.

3) Chemical and pesticide free and less frequent verge and grass cutting enshrined in the PFI contract.

4) A change to warm (maximum 2700K) lighting across the Island, also enshrined in the contract.

5) Declaration of frack/acidation and drill-free Island.

6) Encouragement of local food production up to 70 per cent — or beyond

7) Encouragement of hemp growing for plastic, paper, clothes and food, as well as house building material.

8) Energy conservation and insulation in the form of carbon-neutral housing stock with compulsory green roofs and/or solar panels.