Watchdogs Spot Two Pollution Hot-Spots

By Tony Henderson

Traffic is now the biggest source of air pollution in South Tyneside.

Air quality checks by South Tyneside Council have helped environmental protection officers to identify two areas where pollution currently exceeds Government-set levels.

They are Boldon Lane, between Stanhope Road and Green Lane and Lindisfarne Roundabout/Leam Lane, including sections of the main highways of the A19 trunk road and A194.

Paul Walker, head of strategic and regulatory services, said: “The checks show that the main sources of pollution in South Tyneside are no longer chimneys and factories but road traffic. Not surprisingly, the areas with the highest levels of pollutants are around our major roads.”

In the two areas the council must now develop an action plan to identify ways to help control emissions. It will also carry out detailed monitoring.

“We will do this in full consultation with the public, and we are very keen to hear from local people to find out what they think about local air quality and how it can be improved,” Mr Walker said.