A new low emission zone could be introduced in high-pollution areas of Wycombe in a bid to cut down on toxic fumes.

Cllr Julia Adey, environment chief at Wycombe District Council, admitted that a new low emission zone could be a “drastic measure” but insisted it was “worth exploring” in a bid to cut down on dangerous levels of pollution in the area.

It comes after it was revealed air pollution levels in some parts of High Wycombe are more than 70 per cent above the national target.

The worst exceedance in High Wycombe was found to be 69.5 microgrammes per cubic metre at Wycombe Abbey School’s accommodation block, alongside Marlow Hill – 72.5 per cent above the government’s target of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre.

The worst exceedance in Marlow was found to be 48 microgrammes per cubic metre at Chapel Street – 20 per cent higher than the national target – while the most marginal result in High Wycombe was 40 microgrammes per cubic metre at the junction of West Wycombe Road and Victoria Street.

The council has set about trying to come up with ideas to cut pollution – but a new air quality action plan put forward has been criticised by campaigners for not going far enough.

WDC’s plan outlines 25 actions it has pledged to take in a bid to improve air quality – which include developing “new ways of making public transport more attractive to the public” and apply for government funding to upgrade older buses will more environmentally friendly engines.

But Wycombe Friends of the Earth said the “weak” plan could lead to residents’ health suffering.

At a full council meeting on December 10, Cllr Adey revealed that a new low emissions zone – something that was not outlined in their action plan – could be considered.

She said: “Officers are currently seeking funding for a study into the potential feasibility of a low emissions zone in the areas with the highest levels of air pollution, which could bring in controls to limit older, more polluting vehicles - be they private cars, passenger carrying vehicles large and small, or those moving freight.

“I admit that this could be a drastic measure, and, subject to our funding application of course, clearly a lot of work is required to establish how this might work and what the ultimate benefits would be, but it is an area that I feel is worth exploring, as something that is within the remit of local government to introduce."