COUNCIL bosses in Wyre Forest have been accused of doing nothing to address “toxic” pollution issues in the district.

Members of Wyre Forest Green Party spoke at a Kidderminster Town Council meeting saying that the poor air quality level in both Horsefair/Coventry Street in Kidderminster and Welch Gate in Bewdley, needed to be reduced urgently.

Serious concerns have been raised about potential health problems that could be caused by Nitrogen Dioxide and ultra fine particles produced by mainly diesel engine vehicles.

They called upon town councillors to write to Wyre Forest District Council to demand they do more to tackle this.

Councillor Juliet Smith, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Housing, said the authority was exploring fresh priority options on addressing the “challenging” problems in the hope of resolving them.

Phil Oliver, Wyre Forest Green Party Air Quality Campaigner, said: “The Horsefair was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2003, and this was extended along the Ringway to Coventry Street in 2009.

“Over 13 years there have been numerous measurements of the air quality and an action plan put together but absolutely nothing has been done to reduce the level of air pollution.”

Bewdley Town Councillor Anna Coleman, added: “It is a similar story in Welch Gate. Local residents continue to be exposed to this toxic atmosphere and there is no sign that the district council are going to take decisive action.”

Cllr Juliet Smith said: “The Council takes its role in improving air quality seriously, however resolving the situations in the Horsefair and Welchgate are particularly challenging. Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) – working on behalf of WFDC – has held discussions with local members over the last two months to bring together local knowledge and expertise.

“This has led to a number of options to be further explored, and it is hoped the priority actions will help to reduce the current air pollution levels.

“All known actions taken up to April 2016 are documented in the Air Quality Action Plan Progress Report published on the WRS website.

“The Council encourages everyone to play their part in reducing air pollution around problematic locations.”