SOUTH West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt is encouraging constituents to “cycle or walk when they can” after pledging his support for action to be taken at all levels to improve air quality.

Mr Hunt attended a photo-call organised by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in Parliament ahead of Clean Air Day to back the call for “all effective action” that will ensure the health of people living in South West Surrey isn’t at risk from the air they breathe.

There are currently two air quality management areas in place in Mr Hunt’s constituency - in Farnham town centre and Godalming - after levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were found to be exceeding safe levels.

The MP is developing plans in partnership with Surrey, Waverley and Farnham councils, as well as The Farnham Society, the Chamber of Commerce and two respected local architects, to transform Farnham’s congested road network in a bid to improve air quality.

But he is also calling on South West Surrey residents to do their bit by cycling or walking whenever possible - to limit their pollution contribution but also protect their heart health, as air pollution levels can be significantly higher inside a car.

It comes after new research by the BHF highlighted that air pollution is now the largest environmental risk factor linked to deaths in England, with the majority of air-pollution related deaths worldwide (58 per cent) caused by heart disease or stroke.

The BHF’s research also sheds light on how health-harmful pollutants such as particulate matter - small particles found in emissions from diesel engines and wood burning stoves - can cause damage to people’s cardiovascular health and increase the risk of potentially deadly heart attacks and stroke.

Mr Hunt said: “It’s important that we have better air quality so 12,400 of my constituents living with a heart and circulatory condition don’t need to worry about dirty air damaging their health when they leave the house.

“Research has shown that even the smallest reduction can make a big difference in preventing new cases of coronary heart disease.

“I’m supporting the call for all effective action to be taken to clean up our air so that it’s safe for all to breathe.”

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the BHF, added: “It’s great to have the support of Jeremy Hunt with encouraging action to promote and protect the nation’s heart health from the effects of air pollution.”

Learn more online at www.bhf.org.uk/airpollutionpolicy .