HOW to tackle potentially lethal pollution in Winchester will be aired at a public meeting.

Winchester Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth are holding a public meeting tomorrow (July 12) to consider how to make Winchester cleaner and safer.

They say an 40 to 50 people die early in Winchester from air pollution outside the home.

David Ingram, head of environmental health & licensing, at the city council, will set out what the authority has done and what they plan to do.

Giles Gooding of Winchester FoE will explain why air pollution is so dangerous.

Chris Holloway, of WinACC, said: "Everyone is worried about the illegal levels of air pollution in the city of Winchester. The council is considering what to do, and we’re pleased to be members of their working party on air quality.

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

The city council has commissioned research into air quality in the city centre. A report from independent experts this February showed that air quality is particularly bad in St George’s Street, outside the Hampshire Chronicle office and on the main roads as they enter town.

Winchester FoE recently sent a statement to the Planning Inspector who will examine the draft Local Plan Part 2 in July 2016.

They point out that air pollution in Winchester city is illegal, and that the draft Local Plan contains no explanation of how the city council intends to solve the problem The health problems resulting from exposure to air pollution have a high cost to people who suffer from illness and premature death, to our health services and to business.Nationally, organisations from MPs to the Royal College of Physicians are worried about the effects of air pollution.

The meeting is at 7.30pm at The Winchester Club, Highfield Lodge, Worthy Lane.