An innovative scheme using technology to help reduce air pollution in heavy traffic is being developed in Cheshire West and Chester.

InterCityAir is a collaborative project between Cheshire West and Chester Council, the University of Chester and Chester-based company, C-Tech Innovation.

The project marries the air pollution expertise of the Department of Natural Sciences at the university with the technical know-how of C-Tech Innovation and the infrastructure and policy knowledge of the council. It will develop a real-time network of pollution sensors, which can guide how traffic is managed.

Project lead from C-Tech Innovation, Dr Hannah Newton, said: “We have installed three air quality sensors in the Cheshire West and Cheshire (CWAC) air quality management area for comparison alongside the CWAC pollution analysers. These sensor units are mounted to the lamp posts in the area and communicate over the mobile network.

“The project concept is to create air quality sensors that can be linked to a city’s traffic management control system to help alleviate hotspots of pollution caused by heavy traffic.

“The units have been collecting and transmitting data from the demonstration site in Chester through July and August to conclude this 12-month feasibility project.”

Council staff will be able to use data generated by air pollution monitors to adjust traffic management measures such as traffic light timings.

When a particular area is experiencing a build-up of pollution caused by heavy traffic, controllers can change the traffic lights to minimise queuing, reducing idling time and the associated pollution.

The project is now at the field trial stage, with monitoring equipment installed on Tarvin Road and Christleton Road in Chester.

Units have been mounted to the lamp posts in the area and communicate over the mobile network. They provide real-time measurements of pollution particulates in the air and car exhaust emissions.

The council’s Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Karen Shore, said: “Technology is developing all the time and we strive to use the very latest to improve the environment for all our residents and visitors.

“I’m delighted that we can harness this technology to reduce congestion and improve air quality. This is great news for everyone, however they travel in our thriving and growing borough.”

An air chemist from the university, Dr Gavin Phillips, said: “This project is an excellent example of how academic expertise can be applied in ground-breaking ways by innovative industries to help tackle major health issues in society in partnership with local authorities. It is extremely exciting to know that this work has the capacity to have such a positive impact on residents and on the region in general.”

The 12-month feasibility project has been co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK and the Natural Environment Research Council.