A POPULAR road shortcut could be closed in a bid to cut rising pollution levels in Abingdon town centre.

The idea of shutting St Helen’s Wharf — which is a popular routefrom south Abingdon to the High Street — was put forward at an air quality management meeting.

Representatives from the district, county and parish councils, schools and residents were invited along to the Vale of White Horse District Council meeting to brainstorm ideas to try to reduce rising pollution levels in the town centre.

Two years ago, the centre was declared an Air Quality Manage- ment Area (AQMA) by the district council because levels of nitrogen dioxide — which affects asthma sufferers — were above national standards.

But the latest report shows that levels are still too high in the zone and also in parts of Ock Street not included in the AQMA, which covers Stratton Way, Stert Street and parts of High Street, Ock Street, the Vineyard and Bridge Street.

Oxfordshire County Council says it will look into the idea from last week’s meeting. Both permanently shutting the wharf or closing it only at peak congestion times will be looked at. Tim Weymouth, the county’s transport planner, said: "The county council will be conducting a study of whether there are benefits to be gained from a full or partial closure of St Helen’s Wharf Bridge. We will obviously wait to see what this study concludes."

Environmental health officer David Stevens said that the best ideas from the meeting would form a draft action plan, which would be put out to public consultation by the end of the month He said: “Issues about St Helen’s Wharf might be in there, it might not be as we might not have thought it was feasible.

“We are taking into account anything that the local community has come up with.”

Michael Hocken, 53, of East St Helen Street, said: “Closing the wharf would hugely reduce congestion at the top of West St Helen Street and the High Street where the greatest hold ups occur.

“If you take away this significant chunk of traffic coming into the town you would reduce pollution by a significant volume, especially on the High Street which is the most polluted street in the town.”

He added: “It’s a rat run and it’s just not a suitable street to carry such large volumes of traffic.

“Houses along the 25-yard stretch of road have been hit 12 times by vehicles in the last five years.”

Frances Scaddan, 64, who lives off St Helen’s Wharf in Fellows Close, said: “It’s a pity that the pollution levels have clearly increased over the years and it’s a bit of a rat run.

“We have traffic going both ways along the wharf and we have huge lorries going through and hitting front porticos.

These little roads were never meant for such volumes of traffic.”

Another St Helen’s Wharf resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I think it would clearly enhance the area of St Helen’s Wharf, which is blighted by cars coming through.”