ENVIRONMENT chiefs are planning to designate part of the town as an air quality management area in a bid to cut pollution.

The Environment Act 1995 requires that local authorities give the title to those areas which are unlikely to meet prescribed targets.

As the Guardian went to press, the council's environment committee was meeting to discuss the proposals which will initially look at a designated area along the motorway network where a review has shown that the air will exceed the annual objective for nitrogen oxides.

The study showed that main routes around the town centre also had higher levels but were found to be below the objectives.

This designated area may change in the future to reflect any changes.

If committee members give the moves the go-ahead, a written action plan will be put in place to outline how they are going to tackle the objectives.

The council's intention is that the plan will cover the whole of the borough as a positive measure to safeguard air quality'.