By Julian Whittle

Last updated 11:18, Saturday, 11 October 2008

Traffic pollution in Carlisle is getting worse, new figures show.

Traffic on Dalston Road causes concern

A hotspot for nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhausts has been identified in Warwick Road, outside the former post office.

And readings suggest that two “air quality management areas” – where pollution was previously identified as a problem – may have to be extended.

High levels of nitrogen dioxide led the city’s first air quality management area to be declared on Scotland Road and Kingstown Road in 2005.

Five more followed covering Currock Street, Bridge Street, Dalston Road/Shaddongate and parts of Wigton Road and London Road.

The latest report to city councillors says: “Overall air quality in our local authority is good. There are, however, small pockets where the annual mean objective level for nitrogen dioxide [the level the government says is acceptable] is being exceeded.”

As well as the Warwick Road hotspot, high levels of nitrogen dioxide were found “immediately outside” the air quality management areas in Wigton Road and Bridge Street.

The report says these zones may have to be extended.

The council also measures levels of particulates and benzene.

So far nitrogen dioxide is the only pollutant above the official trigger levels.

Healthy people should not suffer side effects from the gas but asthmatics and those with heart conditions or lung disease are at risk.

Declaration of an air-quality management area means the council is legally required to draw up an action plan to cut pollution.

Carlisle’s action plan was adopted last November.

It contains 41 suggestions to cut pollution – from park and ride and bus-priority measures to cycleways.

The council will back a car-share scheme to cut the number of vehicles carrying only one person.

And motorists who leave their engines idling “unnecessarily” could face £20 fixed-penalty fines.

The latest report on air quality predicts that the opening of the Carlisle Northern Development Route, scheduled for 2011, should cut pollution.

But Ray Bloxham, the city council’s portfolio holder for environmental matters, is frustrated at the lack of progress.

He wants the development control committee to take traffic pollution into account when considering planning applications.

However, his main complaint is that responsibility for measures that can have the greatest impact, such as new roads, lies with Cumbria County Council.

Mr Bloxham said: “It does sometimes feel as if we’re fighting a losing battle.

“We’ve all been waiting to see what effect the Carlisle Northern Development Route has, but it hasn’t happened and we’re not sure when it’s going to happen.”