FEARS have been raised that European Commission plans to reduce air pollution – blamed for hundreds of deaths in Bradford – could be abandoned.

The EU has been planning a clean air directive that would improve air quality across the continent and potentially save lives, with 222 deaths each year in Bradford alone blamed on particulate pollution, resulting in more than 2,300 ‘lost’ years based on Government statistics. But there has been intense lobbying from businesses that could be affected by new restrictions and it has been reported leaked documents point towards the proposals being dropped when a final decision is made.

Friends of the Earth say tougher action is needed on pollution.