TEIGNBRIDGE is winning the fight for clean air.

A report compiled by the council shows that while previous surveys showed a number of pollution ‘hotspots’ across the area, latest data reveals just two.

‘Everyone’s a winner,’ said Cllr Peter Williams.

The council’s executive committee endorsed a new Air Quality Action Plan which stresses the importance of clean air to the health of the district’s 132,800 residents.

Nearly 20 years ago, four areas were identified as having high nitrogen dioxide levels – Iddesleigh Terrace, Dawlish; the A381 along Bitton Park Road in Teignmouth; the original A380 through Kingskerswell and an area covering the centres of Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton.

Now only Bitton Park Road and the Newton Abbot/Kingsteignton centres are ‘hotspots’.

Council leader Richard Keeling said: ‘Air quality has improved in Newton Abbot greatly over the past five years.’

Cllr Williams added: 'We are going in the right direction.’

Planned measures to battle pollution include improvements to public transport, more facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and a possible freight transfer area outside Newton Abbot to keep heavy lorries out of the town, with smaller vehicles bringing in goods instead.