TRANSPORT bosses are set to tackle polluting fumes from coaches, buses and lorries in York with a two-point action plan.

City of York Council is considering launching the city's first Air Quality Zone (AQZ) to try to deter larger diesel vehicles which belch out dangerous nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gases.

It is also looking into measures to stop drivers of such vehicles leaving their engines idling while stationary for a significant time, for example at bus stops and coach parks - with a £20 fine or penalty charge notice issued if drivers refuse to turn off their engines.

Cllr Andrew Waller, executive member for environment, said the 'bespoke' AQZ would focus on larger diesels which had been identified as causing a significant amount of York's NO2 pollution problem, and not on cars.

He said officers would examine potential measures to deter such vehicles, but not the introduction of charges, which would require expensive infrastructure such as cameras beyond York's budget without Government funding.

He said the move to tackle idling followed an exercise on National Clean Air Day last month in which officers had asked coach drivers in St George's Field Coach Park to turn off idling engines, with a good response. He stressed that fines would only be issued as a last resort.

He said: “While our sustained work on combating air pollution has made a significant contribution to improving air quality in York, it’s important to recognise that much still needs to be done.

“Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts – especially in children and older people - including contributing to the onset of heart disease and cancer."

The potential moves come as a new report to Cllr Waller's decision session next month revealed that increased concentrations of NO2 have been monitored in Coppergate, which may have been caused by changes in traffic restrictions and buses on the road.

However, NO2 concentrations in the Salisbury Terrace area had been consistently below the level where it affected health for the last four years, and its existing status as an Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) is recommended to be revoked.

In another AQMA, Fulford Road, average levels of pollutants had been falling but one location continued to show higher than permitted levels.

"Should another year of monitoring levels indicate a continued decline, that AQMA may be recommended to be reduced or revoked in 12 months time," said a spokeswoman.

She said a series of measures had already been adopted to improve air quality, with 14 per cent of York’s taxis converted from diesel to ultra low emission electric hybrids and taxi licences specifying minimum emission standards for new or replacement vehicles.

There were electric buses on two Park&Ride routes with a third to be delivered via the new Park & Ride contract, and the world’s first electric double-decker sightseeing bus had been retrofitted with plans to convert a further five diesel buses to full electric drive.