Northampton Guildhall shoe protest over 'toxic air'

A pair of shoes, each with a candle, symbolised the 102 people who 'die each year from toxic air'

Campaigners say more than 100 people are dying each year because of bad air quality in a town.

The group staged a protest outside a council meeting at the Guildhall in Northampton.

They placed a pair of shoes for each victim on the steps of the building.

West Northamptonshire Council said it recognised there were genuine concerns about air quality in Northampton and would take the "necessary steps".

Marly Lyman from the Umbrella Fair Organisation said toxic air killed two people a week in Northampton

"There's 102 pairs of shoes on the steps of the Guildhall", said Marly Lyman, from the Umbrella Fair Organisation, "and the reason for that is because, according to Public Health England, 102 people die each year due to Northampton's toxic air.

"People are absolutely astounded that it's been 20 years that the council have known about this issue, they've done absolutely nothing whatsoever and, as a result, two people die every week."

He added that it was particularly disturbing to note that one of the most polluted roads was Cheyne Walk, right outside the Barrett Maternity Hospital.

Dave Pearson from Clean Air Northamptonshire said the campaigners were not going to give up

Dave Pearson, from Clean Air Northamptonshire, said: "We're not going to give up, we're not going to go away, we're going to keep on bringing this issue back to them again and again and again."

Mr Pearson said that the council had not produced action plans for seven air quality management areas in the town and had not implemented any of the strategies his group had suggested.

Campaigners highlighted the figure of 102 deaths a year, which came from a 2010 Public Health England report

West Northamptonshire Council said: "We recognise there are genuine concerns about air quality in West Northants, particularly the Northampton area.

"The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for West Northants sets out how partners will work together to improve health outcomes for our residents.

"We will continue to seek national funding to further support education and take the necessary steps to address these concerns."