AIR pollution in busy streets has been tested using new equipment in an effort to improve Oxford’s air quality.

Oxford City Council wants to reduce air pollution in certain key areas.

Researchers have been in action this week in High Street and Oxpens Road, where they are assessing every vehicle which passes using technology developed by the University of Denver, Colorado.

The equipment shines an infrared/ultraviolet beam across the road to get an exact breakdown of the exhaust gases and give a true snapshot of vehicle emissions on the ground.

The work was funded by Defra and the research was carried out by experts from King’s College, London.

Air quality analyst Max Priestman, pictured, said: “It gives an individual emissions profile for every car that passes through the beam.

“We are able to measure thousands of cars in any given day. It gives a comprehensive look at vehicle emissions in Oxford.”