HEAVY lorries and old buses could be banned from parts of York city centre in an effort to improve air quality, council chiefs revealed today.

The pollution-busting proposals came as new figures showed a predicted improvement in air quality in three out of five hotspot areas.

City of York Council's environment chief, Councillor Andrew Waller, said they planned to create "low emission zones" designed to make a big impact on the level of traffic fumes.

He said: "We want to target those vehicles causing the worst pollution, like HGVs and older buses.

"We're looking at banning them from certain areas. We need to check out the council's legal position on this and find out what the consequences of these actions would be in achieving a reduction in key areas without taking the problem elsewhere."

A report to members of the environment and sustainability executive member and advisory panel (EMAP) shows that only a limited number of locations within central York's Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) could remain above the target levels of nitrogen dioxide by the end of the year.

Mr Waller said the projections were cautious estimates of what may happen, and stressed that the actual figures could be significantly lower.

Officers predict that by the end of 2005 improved vehicle technology, along with the increasing use of environmentally-friendly forms of transport and Park&Ride, could deliver the required reduction in nitrogen dioxide in three of York's five hotspot areas.

Some improvement in air quality was also predicted in the Gillygate/Lord Mayor's Walk and Fishergate/Paragon Street, although it may take longer to reach government target levels in these areas.

Coun Waller said: "Things are moving the right direction, but we're not being complacent by any means."

York has, like more than 100 other local authorities, declared an Air Quality Management Area in roads hit by excess traffic fumes.

Monitoring devices are placed at the roadside where there are the highest pollution levels.

Coun Waller said: "The key to the solution is to reduce pollution in problem areas and in particular to target the relatively small number of vehicles which cause the largest share of the pollution.

"I want to make sure that the air quality agenda is addressed."

The issue will be discussed by councillors on Wednesday.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, June 02, 2005