WORCESTER'S MP is urging drivers to switch their car engines OFF at the city's most polluted street in a battle against grime.

Robin Walker says the suggestion might be the only short-term tactic to improve air quality at Dolday after it was named and shamed by environmental experts.

As the Worcester News revealed yesterday, tests have shown how the congested city route has illegal levels of air pollution in breach of the EU limit.

Mr Walker said: "I can see why this has happened in Dolday, I use it myself and it does get very busy.

"One of the things I'd urge people to do when they are sat in queues of traffic is switch off their engines, you get it a lot with modern cars that it does that anyway.

"It's something for drivers to think about as it's better all round, and it saves you money as well as protects the environment.

"The difficulty is that this route can snarl up the whole of Worcester, but it's a key arterial route in the city."

He said he was concerned about the pollution levels and insisted the Government was determined to deliver "the highest environmental standards" via its own legislation after Brexit.

Meanwhile Councillor Adrian Gregson, the leader of Worcester City Council, has also voiced his worry over it.

"The issue around air quality in the city centre has been around for some considerable time but now we've got the data that backs that up anecdotal evidence," he said.

"We need to review how we deal with congestion in the city, the route lines and direction of lorries, the buses and we've said for a long time we need to close the HGV park.

"We need to work with the county council on a healthy solution because it's not just about being stuck in traffic, it's about public health."

He added that people would not be encouraged to cycle if they were concerned about the air quality.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services says the measurements in Dolday were 44.5 micrograms per cubic metre of air in August, above the limit of 40.

The data contrasts with Lowesmoor, which used to be the worst location in the city and also in breach of EU limits but has since fallen to a measurement of 38 since traffic restrictions kicked in.

The county council says it is "naturally concerned" about any parts of Worcestershire breaching air pollution limits and is working on a new transport plan to help address it.

But bosses at County Hall have ruled out any measures to stop lorries using Worcester Bridge.

Ongoing EU breaches of air quality could see hefty fines levied on the UK Government, which could be passed down to councils.