THE Government has demanded cuts in traffic levels on the streets of York and North and East Yorkshire as part of a drive to cut pollution.

Ministers are demanding a 50 per cent reduction in pollution levels by 2010.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher said every local authority in the country must play its part in reducing emissions from exhaust fumes which are linked with heart disease and breathing disorders.

Mr Meacher said the way to achieve this was by reducing traffic congestion and the use of cars.

He added it was for local authorities to decide how to meet the air quality targets, but many would try to improve buses and trains.

"The latest advice from health experts shows that particle air pollution is still having a significant impact on health.

"Recent evidence suggests that long-term exposure to particle air pollution can lead to premature death, particularly from heart disease.

"The proposals published today involve a significant strengthening of our air quality targets for particles and other important air pollutants."

The move follows recent research highlighting the health risks which still exist from various types of pollution, despite attempts to clean up the UK's air.

The new targets relate to a number of chemicals including benzene, carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Benzene is a recognised carcinogen, while carbon monoxide reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produce an increased incidence of tumours of the lung, skin and other sites in the body.

The total cost of meeting the targets is estimated at between £780 million and £1.1 billion per year.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "The council has been committed for years to this kind of agenda through promoting alternative transport and other initiatives. This is one of the reasons we are one of only a handful of Government-recognised Transport Centres of Excellence in the country.

"Through the city's publicly-backed local transport plan we are committed to tackling congestion and we have launched a consultation over areas where the public say they are particularly concerned about pollution.

"The council is also always looking at ways in which it can contribute to reducing pollution including trying to run our fleet of vehicles on cleaner fuel."

Updated: 11:23 Tuesday, September 18, 2001