THE Government has been attacked for doing "too little to late" after it announced its first National Air Quality Strategy.

Louise Ellman, leader of Lancashire County Council said: "Although this gives local councils greater powers to combat air pollution it is too little too late.

"The government has no plans to give us any extra funding to increase the county council's pioneering efforts to support public transport and safeguard the environment."

The county council was the first authority in the country to carry out a Green Audit setting out the state of the county's environment and draw up an environmental action plan (LEAP) to achieve high standards of environmental protection.

It is also urging people to be less dependent on private motor vehicles by means of the Travelwise campaign - aimed at encouraging more green modes of transport such as buses, cycles, walking or car sharing.

A number of other initiatives have also been set up to combat air pollution.

County Councillor Ellman added: "Each year air pollution is the cause of thousands of deaths and hospital admissions in Lancashire which is clearly unacceptable.

"I call on the government to back work the council is doing through all these initiatives to control air quality, to promote public transport and improve the environment with proper funding."

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