MORE drastic measures are needed to bring down air pollution in Brighton which continues to exceed EU levels despite huge investment at traffic hotspots.

Air quality in Lewes Road and North Street continues to fall below EU safe standards according to the city council’s latest figures.

Air pollution in Lewes Road has actually risen in 12 months despite a £4 million investment in sustainable transport improvements while North Street remains almost 20 per cent above EU standards despite being in a low emission zone for almost two years.

Chris Todd from Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth said planners had to stop expanding city centre car parking if air quality levels were ever to return to safe levels.

The campaigner said there was some positive steps being taken in the city with Big Lemon receiving funding for solar powered buses and Brighton and Hove Bus also to start trialling a fully electric double decker bus.

Mr Todd recently suggested that Brighton and Hove follow in the footsteps of Nottingham and introduce a levy on businesses with more than ten car parking spaces for employees.

He said more joined up thinking was needed between planning and transport departments to encourage more sustainable transport rather than private cars.

He cited the recent £150 million plans for Preston Barracks which proposes to increase parking from 600 to 750 spaces despite being served by an extensive bus, rail and cycle network.

Mr Todd said: “We do need more drastic action.

“Driving private cars in the centre of the city is not good for air quality.

“If you don’t build large car parks then people can’t have cars and if people can’t use cars they are not adding to congestion or adding to air pollution provided of course you offer good alternatives.

“Congestion will keep getting worse in Lewes Road if we continue to grant permission to developments with lots of parking.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said proactive measures are being taken to improve emissions of buses and taxis while encouraging motorists to use more sustainable modes of transport.

The number of cars, vans and lorries have reduced by 15 per cent on Lewes Road.

She added: “The investment in lower emission buses is appearing to have more benefits in the North Street area than the Lewes Road area.

“This is an expected trend as the North Street low emission zone is dominated by buses.”