Six in 10 people 'worried about air quality'

Nearly 60% of those who responded to a consultation said they were worried about air quality in their county, a council said.

About 1,000 people answered questions from West Northamptonshire Council about proposals to improve air quality.

The plans include reducing traffic congestion and installing electric car charging points.

The proposals follow several anti-pollution protests in Northampton.

A study by the Housefresh website in 2022 suggested Northampton had the worst air pollution in the country, with residents inhaling the equivalent of 189 cigarettes a year.

Campaigners in Northampton have been drawing attention to the issue in recent months by turning up at council meetings wearing hazmat suits, staging silent protests and even giving councillors fake death certificates.

West Northamptonshire Council's Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) will contain proposals for dealing with the problem such as introducing planning controls to make sure air quality is considered when development decisions are made.

The council also wants to reduce vehicle emissions by tackling traffic congestion and encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transport.

More electric vehicle charging points could also be introduced.

The council said that 53% of those who responded to the consultation said they were worried about air quality in their town or home area, and 58% said they were concerned about the same thing across West Northamptonshire.

The council said their comments would help to shape the AQAP, which would have to be signed off by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Matt Golby, the Conservative-led council's cabinet member for public health, said one solution favoured by some authorities - ultra low-emission zones - was not "being considered at this time".

He added: "Regulation is only one of the ways in which national and local government can improve air quality and the choices we all make when travelling or heating our homes can also make a big difference.”

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