Charities are warning that Manchester residents are at risk of suffering breathing problems due to the levels of traffic congestion in the city.
A report from the British Lung Foundation found air pollution rates are 27 per cent higher compared to other cities in the country.
Manchester transport chiefs claim they are doing all they can to fight air pollution in the region. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) claims its Greater Manchester Low Emission Strategy and Air Action Quality Plan are ensuring residents breathe fresh air and say they are determined to do more to ensure Manchester residents remain healthy.
A spokesperson for the TfGM said: “We have seen improvements in air quality in GM in recent years but more needs to be done. The need to achieve tough air quality improvement targets as quickly as possible will require commitment from a range of organisations to ensure Greater Manchester’s continued development as one of the UK’s foremost city regions.”
The TfGM’s are looking to introduce a range of measures to reduce air pollution, which is mainly caused by road transport.
Key priority areas in urban centres and near major roads is a desire to improve the area’s bus transport to ensure the city’s buses are more environmentally friendly.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, outlined last week that Manchester needs to face its pollution issues head on.
She said: “This public health crisis must be tackled. Everyone in Manchester has a right to breathe clean air with healthy lungs.”
Andy & team have been testing air quality around GM this week – see if your town features.
Remember: 10 is @WHO healthy level, 25+ illegal. pic.twitter.com/iwMNygpCWe
— Burnham for Mayor (@BurnhamForMayor) February 18, 2017
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