A SOUTHAMPTON councillor has demanded a referendum be held before a clean air zone is introduced.

Cllr Andrew Pope called on city civic chiefs to let the public have the final say on any proposals for a city-wide zone.

The member for Redbridge added that this is particularly important if the council opts for a chargeable zone, which could bill commercial vehicles up to £100 a day, with taxis fined £12.50.

Speaking at Southampton City Council’s Full Council meeting, he said: “Nothing should be introduced until there is a referendum.

“It is appalling that the council hasn’t properly addressed the health of the residents in this city, and it has taken until (government pressure) to do something.

“The thoughts of the council have been that the issue will just go away. Several administrations of both Labour and Conservatives have failed to address this issue.”

However, the council says there is currently no legislation in place to allow for one to be carried out.

A spokesperson said: “We carried out a public consultation which is the statutory process prescribed by law to allow everyone to put forward their views. There is no ability at law to hold a referendum.”

But one objector to the plans, ABP – which owns the port, says it wants to work with the council to find a better solution than the ones proposed.

ABP Southampton director Alastair Welch said: “We have been actively engaged in discussions with Southampton City Council for some time to explore the best way of delivering continued improvements in air quality whilst sustaining continued economic growth.

“Air quality is important to us and this is why we published our Air Quality Strategy in the summer detailing our own plans for accelerating the improvements in air quality in the city. We believe our plans show that these improvements can be delivered without the need for a city-wide charging regime.

“We will continue to work with the council as we jointly delivering further improvements in local air quality.”

It comes after the 12-week consultation on the zone closed last week, with more than 8,000 local residents taking part.

The local authority has been tasked by central government to reduce its nitrogen dioxide amount to the EU-imposed level of below 40 micrograms per cubic air metre by 2022. It is currently 42 micrograms.

If it fails to do so, the council will be billed for the hefty fine the EU will impose on Westminster.