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Highs levels of air pollution in Leeds mean that people are 21 times more likely to die from factors related to poor air quality than die in an accident on the road.

That's according to a new report released today, which has analysed the air quality in all of Yorkshire's main towns and cities.

The Cities Outlook 2020, compiled by Centre for Cities, suggests that one in every 22 deaths among adults in Leeds is linked to high levels of the deadly toxin PM2.5, with an estimated 300 deaths per year associated with high levels of air pollution.

Only Hull had worse levels, where one in every 20 deaths were linked to air pollution.

Leeds was one of several UK cities found to breaching legal limits for PM2.5 by the World Health Organization (WHO), while Friends of the Earth said last year that Neville Street is the most polluted road outside London.

To combat this, Leeds City Council is in the process of implementing a Clean Air Zone which will see strict fines of up to £50 per day imposed on HGVs, taxis and buses that emit dangerous levels of pollutants.

The council is also rolling out a new fleet of around 200 electric vehicles to meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

The Centre for Cities report said that councils - including here in Leeds - need more assistance and money to help tackle the issue urgently.

'Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Yorkshire'

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: "Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action.

"People in Yorkshire should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood burning stoves.

To help, the government needs to provide Yorkshire’s councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. The deadly levels of polluted air in Yorkshire are entirely legal. This needs to change.

"As a matter of urgency the government should adopt WHO’s stricter guidelines around PM2.5 emissions. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in Yorkshire."

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