THE council has been told its efforts to monitor air quality are 'not good enough' after confirming the process is not being carried out outside every school.

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Bob Barr is calling for improvements after raising the matter at last Monday's full council meeting.

He asked Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for environment and public protection, whether air quality is being measured outside all of Warrington's schools.

But he was left disappointed with the response.

He said: "The answer I got, while dressed up in technical jargon, was effectively 'no'.

"This isn't good enough. Solving the air pollution problem in Warrington isn't going to be simple.

"However, it is essential to know how serious it is and how it is affecting our children so that measures to reduce it and to protect the vulnerable can be prioritised.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified Warrington as one of the towns in the north west that has more than the WHO safe level of particles like smoke, soot and dust in the air, as well as high levels of nitrogen dioxide.

"Given the levels of traffic and congestion in the town this is not surprising.

"It is almost certain that this pollution contributes to reduced life expectancy in some inner wards.

"Children are particularly susceptible to air pollution and it adversely affects their health."

The authority has responded to the concerns and said it continues to monitor and manage air quality 'closely'.

A spokesman added: "Air quality is a significant determinant of health and we take our responsibility to regularly review air quality very seriously.

"We have developed a comprehensive monitoring network, with sites at 43 key locations across the borough, which are representative of likely levels near schools, houses and care homes.

"Our main monitoring station – which measures levels of nitrogen dioxide, and which is affiliated to the national network – is located at a local school.

"All of this gives us an excellent understanding of local air quality – as recognised by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

"Poor air quality is related, in the main, to continuous traffic activity.

"Most schools are not located on the busy road network and are often set back from the roadside.

"Our reviews have not identified any schools with exposure to air pollution above the prescribed standards at this time.

"We are proposing to establish a new air quality management area for Warrington, which is now open to public comments on our website."