A lack of ambition when it comes to tackling air pollution was the criticism levelled at county councillors by a colleague from Minchinhampton last night.

Rachel Smith of the Greens was the only councillor to reject an air quality report by Gloucestershire’s environment committee on Thursday, May 9.

The report was the result of six months of research by an air quality task group set up by Gloucestershire County Council.

Recommendations included reducing congestion, more journeys by bike and lower emissions vehicles, as well as a Gloucestershire Air Quality Partnership to oversee future work.

But for cllr Smith, the report was typical of the “road-widening and road-building agenda” of the Conservative controlled council.

“Whilst there are a number of good recommendations in this report, it ultimately does not go far enough,” cllr Smith said after the committee meeting.

“The task group had the opportunity to set clear targets, providing an ambitious agenda, and following the evidence.

“However, this report leaves the door open to road-building schemes that will increase, not address, air pollution, and lacks targets by which its impact could be measured."

Ahead of the meeting, chair of the task group councillor Jeremy Hilton had emphasised that the report was just the start of the council’s work in improving air quality in the county.

“We need to do more to reduce vehicle air pollution in Gloucestershire,” said cllr Hilton.

“There are a number of poor air quality hot spots in the county and we have to take action to reduce these pollutants.

“I would like to thank everyone who came along to the workshop we held in January and to the members of the air pollution task group that helped draft the report.”

The report now heads to the county council's cabinet on June 6.