Four areas of Merseyside have been found to have concerning levels of air pollution that could be affecting people's health.
In a report on Sefton Council's website the four areas are all listed as in South Sefton and either exceed or are close to the national average levels of Nitrogen Dioxide.
Nitrogen Dioxide is a brown gas and is released into the atmosphere when fuels are burned for example petrol or diesel in a car.
The gas can affect health and high levels of it can inflame the airways or the lungs and over a long period of time can affect how well the lungs work.
The annual average for Nitrogen Dioxide levels is 40 µg/m3 and for the areas in South Sefton which either are above or close to are:
- A5036 Princess Way and Crosby Road South Junction,
Seaforth. - A5058 Millers Bridge and Derby Road Junction, Bootle
- A565 Crosby Road North and South Road Junction, Waterloo
- B5422 Hawthorne Road and Church Road Junction, Litherland.
To combat the pollution levels, Sefton Council have put in place 'Air Quality Management Areas' (AQMA) to monitor the situation.
Princess Way, Seaforth
The local authority reported Princess Way exceeded the national average for Nitorogen Dioxide.
The council claims it is "extremely challenging" to combat the pollution in this area due to the potential increase in HGV port traffic.
However, the Sefton Council have put plans into place to help with the issue, including port booking systems.
The report said: "The main source of NO2 in this AQMA is emissions from HGV’s.
"The deep-water berth at the Port of Liverpool is now complete and HGV traffic is predicted to increase as a result.
"A major highways improvement intervention is currently being considered by Highways England to accommodate the increase in road traffic as a result of the port expansion.
"Sefton has already tried to reduce levels of NO2 in this area by implementing and assisting in the design of several Air Quality interventions, including port booking systems, ECO Stars fleet recognition scheme and the redesigned ‘hamburger’ roundabout improvements."
Millers Bridge, Bootle
Millers Bridge in Bootle also was above the national average for some pollutants.
The main contributors to the emissions in this area were found to be HGVs and industrial processes on the dock estate.
To tackle the problem the council have undertaken intensive road and footpath cleaning to reduce the quantity of "particulates" being re-suspended.
A HGV hurry call system has also been introduced which gives priority to HGV’s heading up Millers Bridge, reducing the need for stopping at the traffic lights therefore reducing emissions.
Air quality and pollution officers also work with operators and the environment agency to ensure industrial emissions are monitored and controlled effectively.
Crosby Road North and South Road, Waterloo
To combat the pollution levels on Crosby Road North and South Road which was also very high, the council improved the South Road and Haigh
Road junction to fix the traffic flow.
The latest results show that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide have reduced to below the national limit.
Hawthorne Road, Church Road Junction, Litherland
The council report said road traffic was the reason for pollution on Hawthorne Road, Church Road Junction in Litherland.
In 2016, 2017 and 2018 air quality monitoring showed Nitrogen Dioxide compliance met with the national annual target.
However, the local authority said the site may be affected by the increased emissions due to HGV traffic as a result of the port expansion.
The report is recommended to be noted at a Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services Overview Scrutiny meeting at Bootle Town Hall on Tuesday, January 4.
