A NEW call has been made for more emphasis to be put on improving air quality in Devizes.

Liberal Democrats want improvements made to pavements to get people walking rather than driving and for more cycle racks to be made available in the town.

Campaigner Liza Kinnaird said: “Improvements to our pavements and pedestrian safety would encourage people to walk more.

“Increasing the number of cycle racks in town, and raising awareness of the safe cycling routes around Devizes, would make cycling a more viable option.

“By improving our town’s cycling facilities then walking and cycling become stronger alternatives to jumping in the car.”

Other Devizes group including Sustainable Devizes and The Trust for Devizes are also calling for long term change as traffic builds up on roads following the lifting of lockdown.

A spokesman for Sustainable Devizes said: “It is a shocking fact that air pollution in a small town like Devizes is so poor that a large area of the town centre was designated an Air Quality Management Area in 2012.”

The Trust for Devizes is also calling for more action. It said: “To date, there is very little evidence of real progress towards reducing the harmful fumes.

“Meanwhile traffic levels continue to increase as more and more homes are built. The Trust says enough is enough.”

Thanks to lockdown air quality levels in Devizes are still low, scoring just two out of ten, but campaigners fear this will rise. Northgate Street, London Road, Nursteed Road and New Park Street are most at risk.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “We review our diffusion tube monitoring locations each November. We are happy to receive suggestions for monitoring locations from residents, community groups and town/ parish councils. Contact publicprotectionwest@wiltshire.gov.uk .”