OFFICIALS have vowed to crackdown on traffic pollution in Kendal after checks detected high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in the air.

Longpool, Wildman Street, Sandes Avenue, New Road, Blackhall Road, Kirkland and Highgate are to come under the Kendal air quality management (AQMA) scheme after recent checks detected worrying levels of the traffic pollutant.

Previously, only Lowther Street was deemed polluted enough to be in the scheme.

Environmental protection officers are now working with Cumbria County Council, which has responsibility for highways, and other partners to update the action plan to bring cleaner air across the town.

Rachel Shaw, environmental protection officer for SLDC, said: “We had a good response from residents when we launched the consultation on extending the AQMA.

“Many said they were worried about the potential health affects of traffic pollution and most said they were keen for us to take action to tackle traffic and transport problems.

“Some of the actions are already under way such as CCC introducing a new traffic light system where different lights ‘talk’ to each other to maintain traffic flow and cut emissions.”

The council is working on potential new ideas for the updated plan including working with public transport providers to develop green vehicles and introducing ‘Park and Walk’ locations.

Internally the council’s Green Team is also creating a travel plan for employees to try to reduce vehicle emissions and encourage alternative ‘greener’ forms of transport such as walking or cycling.

The action plan will run alongside other council initiatives such as reduced car park charges for A-rated (environmentally friendly) vehicles and potential plans for electric-hooks ups for hybrid cars.

Coun Clare Feeney-Johnson, SLDC portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, added: “Monitoring levels have shown we have a problem with traffic pollution which is why we’re updating this action plan so we can make a real difference across the town.

“It’s important that we work in partnership with CCC and other businesses because everyone needs to work together to bring change and improve our environment.

“By encouraging people and businesses to think differently we can encourage more efficient, cleaner ways to travel which will benefit the whole of South Lakeland.”

The new Action Plan will be sent to DEFRA in April 2011 for them to approve.