MOTORISTS sitting in cars with their engines idling could be hit with on-the-spot fines under radical plans to cut back air pollution in a South Lakeland town.

The Clean Air Ulverston group is calling on South Lakeland District Council to use existing powers to impose £20 fines which would be issued by traffic wardens.

It is also calling for the pedestrianisation of part of the town centre and the introduction of a 20mph speed limit for all residential roads in the town under wide-ranging plans it has submitted for the consideration of councillors.

"Traffic fumes kill 40,000 people a year, compared to fewer than 1,800 who die in road accidents - that's more than 20 times more," said a spokesman for the group. "It's not just these extra deaths that concern us - it's other health effects like cardiovascular disease and dementia and - most worrying - irreversible damage to children's lungs.

"The plan will make Ulverston a much more pleasant place to live and work."

Part of the plan to create a "clean air zone" in Ulverston is to permanently extend the pedestrianised area already in the town centre on market days (Thursdays and Saturdays). Other streets closed to traffic under the scheme will be part of Brogden Street, Union Street, Upper Brook Street and Cavendish Street. At the same time Daltongate would be made one way up the hill to the car park.

"Some traders may be worried that it may hit their businesses - but evidence says pedestrianisation can increase footfall and trade by up to 40 per cent.

"The evidence also says that traders overestimate the extent customers drive and the importance of parking - shoppers are more concerned by the range of shops and the attractiveness of the environment.

"This plan could really revitalise Ulverston town centre - as well as saving lives and young lungs!"

Deliveries to shops and stores could be allowed overnight or early morning, says the group.

The 20 mph limit would cover all residential roads in the town and the group is calling for speed cameras to be installed, but says the scheme would work even without them.

"The idea is to get the traffic moving as smoothly as possible," said the group spokesman. "Most drivers obey speed limits and the key is to get the overall speed down - a one per cent reduction in overall speed leads to six per cent fewer crashes and a similar reduction in emissions."

The group also plans to involve the town's schools and head teachers will be contacted with a view to discussing with parents and pupils the setting up of "walking buses" - where groups of children walk to school accompanied by adults.

"In an experiment for the BBC documentary Fighting for Air, walking buses were shown to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions by 20 per cent and the even more damaging particles by 30 per cent," said the group spokesman

The group says there are calls for clean air zones throughout the country and these are expected to increase.

"It's our chance to get ahead of the curve," said the spokesperson. "Imagine if more of the town was like Market Street on market days, maybe with tables and chairs outside, planters in the street with greenery, and even trees - a place where people could stroll, browse and chat without having to dodge traffic and fumes.

"It could attract shoppers and really revitalise the town.

"It's not just about retail - it's about making the town centre a much more pleasant environment.

"As TV's 'queen of shops' Mary Portas put it, town centre streets should be 'destinations for socialising, culture, health, wellbeing, creativity and learning.'"

An online petition has been started to support the plan, to be discussed by South Lakeland District Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committtee on April 20. It can be seen at: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/clean-air-for-ulverston

The group says funding options include central government, public health, the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Ulverston Town Council.