Lewes Road, North Street and parts of Seven Dials could be included in a “London-style” emissions zone after they were highlighted as the worst areas in the city for air pollution.
The Green Party has pledged that, if re-elected, they will take action to improve air quality in the city centre with a “a bold and comprehensive approach”.
An air quality report for Brighton and Hove highlighted that the highest levels of pollution are found in an area that encompasses much of the city centre.
The report specifically named Lewes Road north-east of Elm Grove, London Road between Cheapside, Brunswick Row and Oxford Street, New England Road, North Street, Viaduct Terrace and Grand Parade.
To address this, the Greens would expand the city’s ultra-low emissions zone, which would charge the most polluting cars on the road in the city centre.
A spokeswoman for the party said the approach was “proven to work” in cities such as Birmingham and London and would “dramatically improve” air quality in the area.
Alongside measures to clean the city’s air the party has said it would ensure greener travel such as cycling or taking the bus around the city is a cheap, efficient and reliable option for residents.
The Greens have committed to protecting and expanding bus passes and infrastructure, as well as building new cycle routes and launching more e-bikes across Brighton and Hove.
Raphael Hill, Green Party candidate for Round Hill, said there was “clear evidence” that action is needed to address air pollution in the city centre.
They said: “Improving air quality saves lives and levels out inequalities.
“We believe that expanding our already existing ultra-low emissions zone into a London-style zone would be a critical step for action in making our city’s air cleaner to breathe.
“Under Green leadership, work on this has already been done with an initial feasibility study showing the real positive benefits it will bring.
“We will continue this work, developing the evidence and business case for going forward with our plans.”
Voters will go to the polls on May 4 to elect 54 councillors from across the city for the next four years.
People voting in Brighton and Hove are required to show a form of photo ID at polling stations in order to cast their ballot.
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