Brighton ULEZ campaign group post fake pollution signs

The signs, attached to lampposts and other road signs, claims that the air in Brighton “kills” and causes a third of childhood asthma cases in the city.

Climate campaign group Clean Air for Brighton and Hove is responsible for the posters which have been placed in "high pollution areas" across the city. They are calling for a number of measures including an extended Ultra Low Emission Zone and fully electric transport network.

Dr Daniel Roberts, part of the campaign, says that the group is made up of healthcare professionals who are concerned about air pollution in the city.

Dr Roberts, who works in emergency medicine, added: "The signs were put up as a way to get the public to engage with the problem.

"There's lots and lots of evidence and all of the statistics come from government documents.

"We are community focused. We all live here and love living here."

A map of NO2 levels in central Brighton in 2019 (Image: Clean Air for Brighton and Hove)

On their website, a spokesman for the group said: “Air pollution is a public health crisis and our elected representatives are not doing enough to tackle it. Polluted air is linked to asthma, heart disease, strokes, dementia, diabetes, cancer and reduced life expectancy.

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“Air pollution is particularly harmful to children and babies. It can cause asthma, stunt lung growth and reduce life expectancy.

Pollution poster in Western Road (Image: The Argus)

“It is the top environmental risk to human health in the UK. Brighton & Hove has some of the UK’s most polluted roads and, due to a lack of regulation, we are one of the least protected in the UK.”

A map on their website also claims to show “illegal” levels of pollution from 2019 including in Western Road, Seven Dials and throughout the city centre.

Among the group's demands of the council are an extended ULEZ compared to the current zone in the city centre and a transport network of eBuses and trams.

Cllr Trevir Muten, said: "Your Labour council is determined to do things differently and improve air quality in the city. This is why we are already expanding our air quality monitoring and creating a targeted action plan to improve air quality in each of our six Air Quality Management Areas."

"We are looking at ways to ensure our five Smoke Control Areas are effective. Our decisions will be data-informed, engage local communities and effective use of existing powers to improve air quality.

"This will include improved traffic flow, redesigned junctions, enforcement within our existing ultra-low emissions zone, improvements to bus services and active travel and greater electrification of our transport network.”