IT’S killing people.

This was the stern message from Winchester residents after the city was branded one of the worst polluted areas of the county.

Winchester Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth, who held a meeting on Tuesday, July 12, say 40 to 50 people die early in Winchester every year because of air pollution.

The meeting at the Winchester Club on Tuesday was attended by around 50 members of the public.

A report from independent experts inthis February showed that air quality is particularly bad in St George’s Street, Romsey Road and other heavy traffic roads.

This led the city council to commission research into air quality.

Chris Holloway, of WinACC, said: “Everyone is worried about the illegal levels of air pollution in the city of Winchester.

“But the problem isn’t new – Public Health England told us in 2014 that 51 adults were dying early (every year) across the district because of air pollution. It’s time to take decisive action to save lives”.

One of the solutions raised at the meeting was the conversion of inner-city car parks for low-emission vehicle use only, rewarding drivers who drive cleaner cars.

“It is something I personally would like to see,” said Phil Tidridge, scientific officer at the city council.

“I have given up trying to stop people driving cars in the city. I am a lot keener to get more people driving low or no emission vehicles.”

Winchester Friends of the Earth recently sent a statement to the Pplanning Iinspector who will examine the draft Local Plan Part 2 from July 19.

They point out that air pollution in Winchester city is illegal, and that the draft Local Plan contains no explanation of how the council intends to solve the problem FoE also said they would be setting up a publicity stunt to highlight the problemgive the problem more awareness. When approached by the Chronicle, they said information a regarding the stunt was “top secret”.

However, despite calls to clampim down on parking in the city centre, Winchester BID hasve called for the council to introduce more, claiming.

The BID claim it is affecting local businesses.

They say the reduction in car parking capacity is ‘the single most important factor’ affecting trade performance, adding: “If Winchester’s current retail offer is to compete with the likes of Whiteley and other competitive centres, or allow for growth for new brands to enter the city, more car parking is an urgent necessity.

“Without it, independent businesses have specifically indicated they will leave the city when their lease is up for renewal.

“Winchester is the historical centre for trade and commerce and thus if we want the city to continue with this status, car parking provision needs to be adequate for future growth.”