A PUBLIC inqury has been called for into the ‘disgraceful’ levels of carbon dioxide emissions in the Ribble Valley.

Ribble Valley Borough councillor Kevin Horkin has called on the Environment Agency to set up an inqury to find out why the area has one of the worst CO2 emissions per person in England at 18.4 tonnes.

The report said the figure was more than double the national average of 7.6 tonnes and gives the Ribble Valley the second worst ecological footprint in Lancashire and air quality below regional and national averages.

The figures were released in a ‘Vital Signs’ report by the Community Foundation for Lancashire.

Coun Horkin, who also serves on Clitheroe Town Council, said: “This clearly has been a growing problem for many years and the Ribble Valley has been left to deal with the consequences.

“This must be harmful to the public and nothing has been done to tackle this issue.

“We have put a man on the moon but we can’t seem to get our act together to sort out this problem in the Ribble Valley.

“I want a public inqury to be held to find out the exact reasons for why this has happened and what can be done about it.”

Cathy Elliott, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Lancashire, said: “One of the reasons we have pinpointed is the cement works in the local area.

“Obviously because industry has contributed to the high volume of CO2 emissions, we want to encourage people in the community to look at their own contributions to the environment.

“One of the ways we are doing this is by urging people to consider using public transport where possible.”