A RADICAL solution is needed to tackle the “public health catastrophe” of air pollution, according to Otley’s MP.

Alex Sobel stressed the need for action when he completed a second consultation on the proposed Clean Air Zone which is set to be rolled out in Leeds next year.

The zone will start from the outer ring road and will affect high polluting commercial diesel vehicles entering the city.

In the consultation and subsequent blog ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ Mr Sobel highlighted the need for action on air quality issues affecting Otley and Pool in Wharfedale. Both towns have recorded high levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air. He also highlighted the need for better public transport options.

He said: “In my last submission, I highlighted the urgent need to address the air quality issues that exist outside of the current zone, particularly in areas such as Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. I also called on the local authority to look to more stringent measures, such as the World Health Organisation guidelines, as a target for the city’s air pollution. It is important to remember that there are no safe levels of air pollution, so it is imperative that we set the highest possible bar for air quality.”

The Leeds North West MP, praised Leeds City Council for showing leadership in tackling a serious public health issue and said: “Toxic air pollution is a public health catastrophe in need of a radical solution. As a city, we are a in a unique position in which we have an opportunity to make a real difference to air quality levels– now and for generations to come. I believe that my constituents deserve to breathe clean air, and I believe that it is only with a Clean Air Zone that we can make this a reality.”

He added: “In this submission, I highlighted the need for improving infrastructure. As well as the ‘stick’ for vehicles that contravene the zone, we need a ‘carrot’ for the cleanest vehicles to enter the city. This means charging points as well as electric vehicle priority for taxi and hackney carriage licensing.

He said: “We must also invest in out of city parking and cycling infrastructure in order to reduce the number of private cars entering the city. This includes researching locations for park and rides, and look to establishing new sustainable cycle routes into the city centre as well as developing existing ones.”