IMMEDIATE action is needed to address high levels of air pollution in Chepstow, a councillor has said.

It follows the publication of a list of towns and cities world-wide which the World Health Organisation (WHO)says are at or have gone beyond air pollution limits.

As the Argus reported, Chepstow is said to have the most air pollution in Gwent.

Cllr Jez Becker, who is also the founder of the Chepstow and Sedbury Bypass Action Group, said it was a concerning issue.

“It is only going to get worse as the (Severn) Bridge tolls come down and we have more commuters,” he said.

“We need a holistic solution to our transport system in the whole county.

“I think part of that solution is going to be a bypass which the Chepstow and Sedbury Bypass Action Group have been campaigning for.

“We need to get some national dialogue on this. There is an immediate requirement for action.”

A cross-border study on transport issues was recently launched by Monmouthshire council and Gloucestershire County Councils, which Cllr Becker welcomed.

But he said he was concerned the levels of air pollution could also impact on tourism and business if not tackled soon.

“It is incredibly worrying, not just from a health point of view,” he added.

According to the latest 2016 statistics, Chepstow has exceeded the limit of 10 micrograms per cubic metre, with an average of 11 micrograms.

Newport was found to have 10 micrograms per cubic metre. The statistics also revealed that nine out of 10 people breathe air containing “high levels of pollutants”.

Gavin Shaddick is a professor of data science and statistics at Exeter University.

He explained that the majority of South Wales is facing issues with controlling pollution.

“When you look at the data, 35 per cent of people in Welsh urban areas live in areas where the pollution is higher that the WHO limit,” he said.

“Over the whole of Wales, this is 30 per cent. Largely this is to do with road traffic. A large proportion of PM2.5 particles, which are linked to lung cancer and pneumonia, among other diseases, come from vehicle traffic and, in particular, diesel exhausts.”

The director general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called it “unacceptable” that billions of people inhale “deadly smoke”.

He said: “Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the brunt of the burden."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said: “The primary source of pollution in Chepstow is the A48 trunk road which is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

“Monmouthshire County Council has written an air quality action plan for Chepstow.

“Emission levels along the A48 have reduced in recent years; however the council’s environmental health section continues to review and assess pollution levels and the council works with key stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, planning authority, Friends of the Earth, Transition Chepstow and Chepstow Town Council, to implement the action plan and reduce vehicle emission levels.”