Health fears spark action over traffic pollution

Research has shown that thousands of vehicles using Main Street in Fulford in York every day are causing poor air quality along sections of the road, with high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide. York Council has announced proposals to extend an air quality management plan which already covers part of Fulford Road to try to counter the pollution along Main Street.

The move is the latest attempt to improve air quality after a series of pollution blackspots have been identified around York, which ranks as one of the most congested cities in the region.

Concerns have been expressed over the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the city, the main source of which is fumes from vehicles.

The problems have been caused by traffic on the A19 route into and out of York, and has been exacerbated by vehicles often standing still because of high levels of congestion.

Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritant which affects vulnerable groups such as the young and the elderly, and those suffering from asthma, emphysema and lung disease.

Work is already under way along Fulford Road to curb traffic congestion by improving junctions and introducing additional cycle and bus lanes in the hope that motorists will opt for more environmentally-friendly modes of transport.

The council is now looking to develop an air-quality action plan for the area during the next 12 to 18 months, and will seek the views of residents later this year about measures to reduce air pollution.

An initial public consultation found that the vast majority of residents backed the proposals to extend the existing air quality management plan, with 70 per cent of respondents supporting the idea.