Find out which roads are breaching air quality levels

27 February 2019, 05:00

More than 120 sites across the South West have been named and shamed for breaching air quality limits.

Friends of the Earth has put together a new map showing the locations with the highest levels of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The biggest offenders are:

Quay Road, Tideford
A37 Temple Cloud, Bath & NE Somerset
A38, Dean Prior, South Hams
Ashley Road St. Pauls, Bristol
St Thomas Road, Launceston
Air Balloon roundabout, near Birdlip, Cotswold
Newfoundland Way, Bristol
East Wonford Hill, Exeter
Chideock Main Street, West Dorset
Mill Road, Tideford, Cornwall

Mike Birkin, South West campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "It's unforgivable to see so many locations across the region over air quality limits, leaving thousands of us breathing dangerously polluted air.

"Air pollution is often an issue thought of as affecting only the biggest cities. The reality is that unacceptably toxic air can be found across much of the UK. even in smaller towns. It is harming the health of people across the country and is especially bad for young children whose lungs are still developing.

"The government needs to step up and do more to deal with this air pollution crisis - they can't just carry on leaving the difficult decisions with local authorities, many of which are severely under-resourced."