North Tyneside Council has approved a public consultation to help improve the area's air quality.
According to council documents, the primary pollutant is nitrogen dioxide and "particulates" from traffic. Long-term exposure to such pollutants has been shown to cause heart disease, strokes, lung cancer, and asthma in children.
Evidence is also emerging that exposure to poor air quality has links to incidents of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and low birth weights. According to national statistics, around 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year are attributed to poor air quality.
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Coun Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Poor air quality is one of the biggest environmental risks to human health today. It impacts many health conditions, with lives very sadly cut short due to exposure to harmful air pollutants.
“Encouragingly, compared to elsewhere, the air quality in North Tyneside is good, but we are not complacent. This does not mean that improvements can’t be made, and we will continue to do all we can to make a difference.
“However, we cannot do this alone and we need the help of residents and businesses. If everyone makes small changes – like leaving the car at home for short journeys, recycling wherever possible and turning lights off when leaving a room – collectively it makes a big difference.
Council officials are currently in talks with bus providers to "improve bus priority". The local authority will also encourage partners and stakeholders to reduce their reliance on private cars.
The council also has new legal powers to fine those responsible for air pollution. According to council documents: "The Strategy aims to protect air quality in the Borough and identifies legislation that may be utilised to allow financial penalties to be introduced as an alternative to prosecution when dealing with polluters linked to the Clean Air Act."
The consultation will begin on January 30 and run for six weeks, until March 6, 2023. It will seek the views of residents and businesses on the plan.
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