TOWN councillors are considering spending £4,000 on a new air quality monitoring station to see how clean Middlewich’s air really is.

Cheshire East Council currently measures the harmful pollutant nitrogen dioxide from three monitoring stations in Middlewich.

However, particulates from diesel fumes – which are considered a hazard to people’s health – are not currently measured in town.

At Monday night’s Middlewich Town Council meeting – the first to be broadcast online in the pandemic – members will consider buying the kit to monitor particulates and carrying out a ‘fundamental review’ of air quality in the town.

A report which will be presented at Monday’s meeting says: “Middlewich has a high volume of traffic going through its town especially when the M6 is shut even though we are not an official route for M6 traffic.

“Concerns have been raised over the air quality in Middlewich in relation to the heavy traffic and the effects it has on its residents.

“Other councils have already started measuring particulates and we believe this is a proactive step forward to monitor and ensure the health and safety of our residents.”

Cllr Graham Orme, independent, carried out extensive research on the issue ahead of Monday’s meeting.

Middlewich Town Council could now agree to set up a working group to carry out a review, involving members of the public.

To view the agenda for Monday’s meeting and instructions on how to watch it visit middlewich.org.uk/meetings