DIRTY diesels could be restricted from a port town's roads under new proposals but a 20mph zone has been ruled out as part of an overhaul.

A low emission zone could be introduced in Newhaven among a raft of new proposals to improve air quality in the area.

Lewes District Council officers are also exploring the possibility of capping rail and bus fares for local travel, free parking for environmentally-friendly vehicles, forcing cars to switch off when stuck in traffic and exploring re-routing buses via the town's High Street rather than the Ring Road.

The moves follow a survey completed by125 residents earlier in the year which showed 44 per cent in favour of a 20mph zone on Newhaven Swing Bridge, 83 per cent in support of a Low Emission Zone around the Ring Road and 24 per cent supporting making new housing developments car free.

Ideas considered by the council but not being taken forward include a park and ride because its impact on local air quality is considered minimal unless based at Newhaven Town train station.

Bus lanes on the A259 have also been discounted due to limited road space on the Ring Road and a 20 mph zone because peak-time traffic currently travels below that speed already, while the cost of implementing the scheme would outweigh "debatable benefits" to local air quality.

Other ideas that will not be taken forward include replacing pedestrian crossings with footbridges and subways which raised concerns about residents' safety and the use of NOx-absorbing paint because of a lack of evidence that photocatalytic surfaces can reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide.

The plans have met with approval from Lewes MP Maria Caulfield.

She said: “I am really pleased to see Lewes District Council focussing this attention on the town of Newhaven.

"I have based my office within Newhaven and so I’m very aware of the difficulties that the town is facing when looking at emissions and air quality, namely due to the ring road surrounding the town centre.

“I very much look forward to seeing some of the results of the public consultation being implemented, which will be one of the steps towards the regeneration of Newhaven to which I remain fully committed.”

Council officers will now carry out further research into the approved schemes which will be reviewed at a stakeholder meeting next month.