RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on air quality in Rayleigh.

Rochford District Council wants resident's views on a proposed Air Quality Action Plan for Rayleigh town centre, which aims to reduce levels of pollution.

It has been launched as the annual average level of nitrogen dioxide was found to be marginally above the National Air Quality Objective in some areas of the town centre.

Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant associated with vehicle exhaust emissions, and some locations in the town centre have been found to exceed the target by less than 2.5 per cent.

This led to the creation of an Air Quality Management Area which covers Brook Road, Crown Hill, Eastwood Road, High Road, High Street, Hockley Road, Southend Arterial Road and Websters Way.

June Lumley, councillor responsible for community, said: “The aim of this Air Quality Action Plan is to reduce levels of pollution in Rayleigh town centre. These may only be marginally above the nationally-set targets but it is important that we take decisive action.

“Our Environmental Health Officers have identified congestion as the main contributor, therefore many of the actions seek to improve traffic flow in Rayleigh itself and along the A127, which should also have knock-on benefits to those of us who use these routes. It is important that we now hear the views of residents and businesses to ensure we have a workable plan which successfully improves local air quality.”

Environmental Health Officers believe the dominant cause to be congestion and have now drawn up a number of action points, some of which are already being put into practice.

Their priorities are to reduce congestion in areas where people live close to busy roads, reduce the volume of traffic within the area.

The plan, created in partnership with Essex County Council as the local highway authority, incorporates a major scheme to upgrade signals at the Rayleigh Weir roundabout, on the A127, and linking to Stadium Way.

There would also be efforts to encourage cycling, walking, car shares and public transport, through practical measures.

The consultation will be running until January 3. Once the consultation is completed, the final plan will require approval from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

To take part in the consultation go to www.rochford.gov.uk/airquality