CLAIMS Bournemouth has high levels of harmful air pollutants have been dismissed by the council - but a demonstration is taking place today at the town hall.

The council's response follows newspaper reports which said the town has roadside areas which have nitrogen dioxide levels above the legal limit.

The findings were released in a plan to tackle roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Louise Jones, environmental health manager at Bournemouth Borough Council, said:“In July 2017 Defra produced its UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Earlier this year just before the publication of this newspaper report, the council were having discussions with Defra regarding this report.

“The report is based on computer modelling rather than actual results and takes into

account traffic levels and existing readings the council have taken in nearby locations.

“However, the actual readings of roadside monitoring carried out in the vicinity are below the required level and we do not have any areas in Bournemouth that exceed the 40 microgram limit.

“We will be continuing to monitor air quality across Bournemouth and the locations of where we monitor are regularly reviewed to take into account new road layouts and new developments.”

Friends of Riverside have organised the protest for 1.30pm today, focusing on increased air pollution will be generated by the proposed Wessex Fields development.

The issue was flagged by a resident to Bournemouth Borough Council, at a meeting on Tuesday September 12.

The council was asked if guarantees could be given over the air in the borough with “more traffic and consequent air pollution that will be created by the 2,000 jobs scheduled for Wessex fields”.

The response given by Cllr Jane Kelly, portfolio holder for regeneration and public health, included the environmental health manager comments, but added: “The computer modelling indicates that an elevated stretch of the Wessex Way between the Cooper Dean Roundabout and the turn off for Kings Park will have a level of nitrogen dioxide than is higher than the required level of 40 micrograms.”

Cllr Kelly confirmed the readings taken by the council in the vicinity were below the required level.

“The report also details that for the next four years it is predicted that the nitrogen dioxide level would be exceeded,” Cllr Kelly said.

“After this time the computer model indicates the level will fall well below the required level of 40 micrograms.”