FIFTEEN locations around Bradford are breaching air pollution limits, new figures show.
Data revealed today by Friends of the Earth found there were multiple roads and areas in the city where levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are above the 40ug/m3 level.
The worst affected area in Bradford is at Treadwell Mills on Shipley Airedale Road, the A650, where a reading of 69ug/m3 was recorded.
You can see all the Bradford hotspots on this interactive map.
Across Yorkshire and the North East, 22 local authorities have recorded air pollution readings above the standard limit, with Bradford joining Doncaster, Sheffield, Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds in recording air pollution levels at least 50 per cent higher than the limit.
Other poorly-scoring areas in Bradford included Manningham Lane, Queen’s Road, Rooley Lane and the junction with Mayo Avenue and Manchester Road.
Bingley Road and Saltaire Road, in Shipley, were also found to have high measurements.
Simon Bowens, Friends of the Earth campaigner for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Air pollution is a public health emergency that cuts thousands of lives short each year across Yorkshire, with children, older people and the poorest most at risk.
“Local authorities across the region need to up their game and take the necessary action for the sake of our health and wellbeing.
“It’s also important however, that local authorities get proper support from central Government, which has very much passed the buck when it comes to cleaning up our air.”
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said the authority had made a number of changes to crack down on air pollution.
She said: “Bradford is a large, diverse and growing city and has taken the lead in driving forward improvements to address air quality issues.
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“Work has included the adoption of the council’s award-winning Low Emissions Strategy.
“In 2013 Bradford was the first city in West Yorkshire and the second in the country to adopt a Low Emission Strategy aimed at reducing air pollution and improving health in the district.
“Bradford has since worked collaboratively with neighbouring councils, the Combined Authority and Public Health England to lead the development of the West Yorkshire Low Emission Strategy (2016).”
The strategy changes policies to improve air quality, including planning guidance for local authorities. The collaborative approach ensures consistent improvements across the region.
The spokesperson added: “In May Bradford, along with 32 other councils, received a ministerial direction requiring investigation into whether there are any further measures that we can take that will bring forward full compliance with legal requirements.”
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