Plans to tackle Oxford's pollution problem are again at stalemate today (Wed Dec 8) after the city and county councils failed to agree on measures to improve the city's air quality.

A 15-point action plan drawn up by representatives from both authorities has become "watered down and toothless", according to one county councillor.

The plan was drawn up after tests in places like Queen Street revealed levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is linked to asthma, exceeded Government-recommended levels on some days.

There is still debate over exactly how bad Oxford's air quality is, with the city council's air pollution expert, Roger Pitman, rubbishing a recent Calor survey that claimed spending a day breathing in the city centre air was equivalent to smoking 61 cigarettes.

Leslie Sibley, part of a joint review scrutiny group which drew up "A Breath of Fresh Air" - an investigation into pollution in Oxford city centre, spoke out after the county council's policy-making executive yesterday rejected several key recommendations, which had been backed by the city council.

The sticking points were over "green" buses, parking charge increases and the appointment of a county cycle supremo.

County councillors rejected a recommendation to set targets for a percentage of vehicles to be equipped with so-called green technology. They also dismissed a call to set targets for a percentage of their present contracts with school transport providers to be renewed or replaced with green vehicles.

David Robertson, the county council's executive member for transport, said the measure could leave some children in rural parts of Oxfordshire without transport to take them to school.

A call to increase city centre car parking charges, at least in line with inflation to encourage bus and park-and-ride use, was described as "too narrow a focus" by Mr Robertson. After the meeting, Mr Sibley said: "It's taken the teeth away from what was being proposed and watered it down.

"It was not asking them to break the law in anyway - it was saying 'look, we have got to do something' and while it may be a small problem it's a problem.

"At this moment I don't think there can be a way forward. The city council, which is responsible for monitoring air pollution, cannot deliver this without the county council, which is responsible for the local transport plan.

"I think we have moved backwards. There is a problem and if we don't address it the situation can only get worse."

But Mr Robertson said: "There is complete agreement between the city and county councils and uniformity with what we are trying to do.

"We are working together to minimise issues caused by nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants.

"I can't accept off the cuff that we set targets for current contracts because I don't know what these targets may do for school transport.

"I could find myself in the position where we could not provide school transport."

Lib Dem county and city councillor Jean Fooks, also a member of the scrutiny review group, said: "I think we have made some steps forward, but we would like to do a bit more. It (the plan) is certainly not in tatters."

Green Party city and county councillor Craig Simmons added: "They (the county council) are not taking the well-being of the citizens of Oxford seriously and seem to have a carefree attitude to their responsibilities."