AN ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner is urging council leaders to trial the closure of Wallingford Bridge to improve air quality in the town.

Sustainable Wallingford spokeswoman Sue Roberts said consultation on air quality issues had gone on for too long and action needed to be taken immediately.

South Oxfordshire District Council has put forward a low emissions strategy, including the option of preventing some traffic from using Wallingford Bridge, in a bid to improve air quality on the bridge and around the Lamb crossroads.

Residents will have the chance to respond to proposals in a consultation session at the town hall on Saturday, October 22 from 10am to 2pm, and market researchers will also visit people's homes on Friday and Saturday.

But Dr Roberts said it was time for action following an initial consultation on the strategy earlier this year.

She added: "I think we have had enough consultation - there is no reason why we should not have a trial involving the closure of Wallingford Bridge at certain times of day.

"I think it would have to include the rush-hours because that is when you get the most congestion and air pollution as a result.

"It would stop all the through traffic, and people would use the bypass instead - I don't see a problem with running a trial for six weeks to see if closing the bridge at certain times of day improved the air quality.

"There's a canyon effect at the crossroads and it's well known that nitrogen dioxide in exhaust fumes is bad for your lungs."

Dr Roberts and her husband Richard Harding, a climate change expert, have bought a Nissan Leaf electric car to cut down on vehicle emissions.

She said: "It cost us about £18,500 and we charge it at home because there isn't a charging point in Wallingford.

"If there was one it might encourage more people to get electric vehicles."

A report to SODC by consultants Ricardo Energy and Environment said last year air pollution levels in Wallingford were 25 per cent above EU air quality limit values.

The report, which said access to the bridge could be banned at certain times of day to all traffic except buses, electric cars, or hybrid cars, is now before SODC.

Air quality levels at the crossroads break UK and European standards and SODC wants to cut nitrogen dioxide levels.

The section of the town near the bridge, around High Street, St Mary’s Street and Castle Street, was labelled an air quality management area in 2005.

Traffic is often forced to wait to cross the single-lane bridge, controlled by traffic lights.

Proposals for reducing vehicle emissions will also be on display at exhibitions between 10am and 2pm at Watlington Town Hall on Saturday, and at Henley Town Hall on Saturday, October 29.

Tony Harbour, cabinet member for environmental health at South Oxfordshire District Council, said a bridge closure trial could be 'on the cards' following the completion of consultation.

He added: "You could have a trial involving the bridge closure from 8am to 10am and from 3pm to 6pm.

"I wouldn't want to affect businesses and people's livelihoods but I think a trial closure could have a positive effect with more people coming into the town once air quality had improved."