FIGURES have revealed Bradford is one of the most polluted places in the UK.

The data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs shows the city has one of the highest levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) per cubic metre, alongside London, Glasgow, Southampton and Manchester.

While the legal EU maximum for NO2 stands at 40 mg per cubic metre, a level of 50 mg per cubic metre was reported for Bradford, cementing its place as one of the top five air pollution hotspots.

And in a recent high court ruling, Bradford was among 45 English and Welsh authorities where more action is required to tackle air quality.

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Earlier this year, scientists claimed air pollution may be responsible for nearly 40 per cent of childhood asthma cases in the city.

In March, draft review terms to tackle and improve air quality across the district were given the go ahead.

A report said: “The impact of transport on air quality is a significant public health concern.”

The district has four declared air quality management areas.

These are located around areas in Marshfields, Mayo Avenue and Manchester Road, in BD5. In Marlborough Road, Apsley Villas, Walmer Villas and Manningham Lane, in BD8.

In Holmfield Court and Thornton Road, in BD1 and between the Cock & Bottle Inn, Barkerend Road, Treadwell Mills, Upper Parkgate, Little Germany, and St Mary’s Presbytery, Barkerend, in BD1.

A large number of other locations are thought to be at, or close, to exceeding levels.

The report added: “The health impact of air quality on the Bradford population and the importance of encouraging more sustainable modes of transport and addressing congestion issues that impact on air quality cannot be overstated.”

Research from Confused.com has shown that more than a third of UK drivers believe the most polluting vehicles should be banned from highly populated areas.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “In the government’s 2017 UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations there were six local authorities named in the first wave with the worst roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations which had to take action. A further 23 authorities with the next worse roadside nitrogen dioxide were named in wave two as having to take action. We were named as a third wave authority in March this year as one of 33 authorities who have to carry out a feasibility study to look at ways we can bring forward plans to improve air quality. We are currently working on the report to the Government which will be sent to them by July.”