PLANS to reduce pollution in Leeds are set to go out to public consultation this week.

But Leeds City Council’s proposals do not seem to have taken account of concerns about the knock on effect on Aireborough, it is being claimed.

Earlier this year Aireborough Civic Society welcomed the council’s intention to tackle the problem of pollution - but warned that a charge on lorries, buses and taxis within the Outer Ring Road could make the situation worse in Rawdon Guiseley and Yeadon. The civic society called for the measures to be extended to Aireborough.

This week the proposals were due to go before the council’s Executive Committee before the expected launch of a six-week consultation.

Civic society Chairman Clive Woods said: “As far as I can tell none of the suggestions and comments from the ACS response have been taken up by Leeds CC. and I have been unable to find any comments relating to our response.

“The A65, A658 and other local roads have worse pollution than most within Leeds Ring Road. Not only is congestion severe at peak times on weekdays, but, unlike most other areas it is often as bad during the weekend. There are also large numbers of diesel HGVs.

“Changes to the Horsforth Roundabout two years ago that were supposed to have reduced congestion have actually made the situation much worse with traffic now queuing back past Rawdon Cemetery to Airedale Works. We have asked for pollution controls/charging on the the A65 and A658, but seem to have been ignored. We also think that vans should be included.”

The council says it has received almost 9,000 responses to the first phase of consultation and has now revised plans to include a new, smaller boundary area, changes to daily charges, and a review of licensing conditions for taxis and the private trade.

The documents and consultation questionnaire will be available at www.leeds.gov.uk/airqualityconsultation from June 28.

Councillor James Lewis, Leeds City Council executive board member for resources and sustainability said: “Ensuring we reduce pollution levels across the whole city is a real priority for the council and something we are working hard to achieve. As much as the clean air charging zone forms a key part of our preferred scheme – ensuring all our communities are able to breath clean air is the end goal.”

He added: “We had a fantastic response to the consultation earlier this year and would like to encourage even more people to have their final say on this crucial piece of work for the city

“The feedback we received in the first part of the consultation has been vital in helping us further shape the direction for the business case – including re-looking at lower charges for buses, and a smaller boundary.”