TOWNS and cities will be able to impose tough curbs on pollution-pumping vehicles – to cut the heavy death toll from fumes – under Labour plans.

Local councils would be handed the power to introduce a ‘low emission zone’ along the lines of London, the Opposition pledged.

Restrictions could include:

* Charges on the worst fume-pumping lorries and vans.

* Requiring bus firms to introduce modern, cleaner vehicles.

* Diverting traffic away from schools and the most polluted areas.

* Preventing vehicles from “idling” – creating more fumes.

* Planting more trees – to suck up dangerous particulates.

Criticising the Government for failing to act, Maria Eagle, Labour’s environment spokeswoman, said: “The facts about on air pollution are truly shocking.

“It’s one of the leading causes of cancer and studies show that it can also cause asthma in children and coronary heart disease among older people.

“Labour will devolve the power - not just the responsibility - and support local authorities that want to tackle this public health crisis.”

The move comes after the Government admitted that air pollution will continue to kill scores of people every year in Teesside and Tyneside until 2025.

European limits on deadly nitrogen dioxide – blamed, with other particulate gases, for 1,273 deaths in the region every year – will be missed, officials said.

They include significant numbers of deaths in Teesside, in Stockton-on-Tees (77), Middlesbrough (68), Redcar and Cleveland (61), Darlington (47) and Hartlepool (43).

Higher-than-expected emissions from diesel cars are blamed, after they replaced petrol cars because they produce less carbon dioxide, blamed for climate change.

Local councils are now responsible for paying any European Union fines levied because anti-pollution targets will be missed.

Yet, said Ms Eagle, they lacked the muscle to introduce low emission zones – despite up to 20, including Newcastle, Gateshead and York, exploring the option.

Under Labour’s plans, councils would be able to adopt a single national package of ideas to encourage cleaner, greener, less polluting vehicles.

Ms Eagle added: “The Government has localised the responsibility for paying the fines, without setting out a national framework for action to tackle the problem.”

The capital’s zone was set up in 2008 – monitored by automatic number plate reading cameras (ANPR) – and may be toughened to target diesel vehicles.

To the Government’s embarrassment, the original deadline set by the European Union for meeting nitrogen dioxide limits was 2010.

The European Court of Justice will rule by the end of the year on what action Britain needs to take.