Air quality remains poor in Shrewsbury

But while problems remain in Shrewsbury, studies show a gradual improvement in air quality in the past three years, according to Shropshire Councillor Stephen Charmley.

Councillor Charmley, portfolio holder for public protection, said that high levels of nitrogen dioxide in the centre were linked to vehicle emissions.

The comments have been made as part of an official response to a question by Councillor Mansel Williams ahead of a full council meeting next week.

Councillor Williams asked what steps were being taken to address air quality problems in the town.

"Recently the World Health Organisation declared diesel fumes a cause of cancer and the EU rejected the UK Government's attempts to defer cleaning up the air in our polluted cities and towns," he said.

"The air quality management area in Shrewsbury town centre is for nitrogen dioxide and the principal source of that pollutant will be diesel engines."

It follows a report last year which labelled air quality in Shrewsbury town centre as 'unacceptable', with the level of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide deemed to be so high they were 'likely' to exceed European standards.

Councillor Charmley said studies since 2009 showed 'there is a downward trend in pollution levels'.

But he added: "The poor air quality is almost solely the result of road traffic emissions."

He said the solution lay either in cleaner vehicles or in improvements to the road network.