Air Quality Hotspots Spread Beyond Bedford Town Centre

10.30.15am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Nov 2006

Michael Headley, seen here surveying traffic on Prebend Street, is extremely concerned about the latest air quality figures for Bedford

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have reacted with grave concern to the news that a further two locations in Bedford, on Ampthill Road and Goldington Road, are suffering from excessive levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Due to high levels of this pollutant identified in previous studies, the Borough Council has already established 'Air Quality Management Areas' at sites in Great Barford and in Bedford on Prebend Street and the High Street. Figures revealed in the Council's latest Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment show that levels of nitrogen dioxide have risen sharply at sites on Ampthill Road and Goldington Road in Bedford, exceeding government targets for air quality by a considerable margin.

Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Borough Group Leader Cllr Michael Headley said:

"The figures revealed in this report are deeply worrying. We know that Bedford already suffers from excessive nitrogen dioxide levels on the High Street and on Prebend Street and it has now emerged that this pollutant, which in high concentrations can cause inflammation of the lungs and can exacerbate serious respiratory problems, is increasing at these sites away from the town centre.'

"The Council must monitor the pollution levels more thoroughly at these locations and start to put plans in place to improve air quality without delay. Local people want action to tackle this problem."