A COUNCIL is creating it’s first ever special air quality area to ensure a new £34m bypass is lowering a market town’s shock pollution levels.

The highest ever pollution readings for nitrogen dioxide were recorded at the Bridge Street junction in Bedale by Hambleton District council over 2015.

Although it was 18 months ago and the new bypass has since opened, the readings sparked an automatic alert with the Department for Environment which is insisting the council undertakes special measures to ensure levels are down.

It’s the first time the authority has had to bring in special measures in 24 years of monitoring pollution levels across the district.

Paul Staines, director for environmental services presented a report on the concerns to Hambleton’s cabinet , seeking permission to establish the new order which will involve extra monitoring and traffic control.

He said: “Prior to the Bedale Aiskew and Leeming Bar bypass being built, the annual average in 2015 at the White Bear Hotel was 50.2µg/m3 of nitrogen dioxide which is above the annual average standard of 40µg/m3. Two other nearby monitoring points either side of the White Bear Hotel do not exceed the annual average objective.

“This indicates that the area exceeding the objective is relatively small and confined to the White Bear junction rather than being a more widespread problem in Bedale. Nitrogen dioxide emissions tend to be due to traffic based pollution.

“The Environment Act 1995 requires that where it appears an air quality objective is not being achieved, nor is likely to be achieved, and where people are likely to be regularly present, the local authority shall by order designate the area as an Air Quality Management Area.”

Cllr Stephen Watson, Cabinet Spokesperson said: “This air quality management area is based on 2015 figures and we are already confident that air quality has improved.

“The original readings were taken before the opening of the relief road and there has been a significant reduction in vehicles through the town centre.

“However, statutory obligations mean we have to make this declaration so that closer monitoring can take place. We will continue to work closely with DEFRA, North Yorkshire Highways and other bodies on this issue.”