These are the North East sites which have been named and shamed for having the worst air pollution, according to a study by Friends of the Earth.

The environmental campaigning organisation complied a data audit to uncover locations across the UK found to have breached the annual Air Quality Objective for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels.

The leading cause for NO2 pollution comes from road traffic emissions, and high levels of NO2 can cause a flare-up of asthma or symptoms such as coughing and breathing difficulties.

Newcastle accounted for six of the 10 worst sites for air pollution in the North East.

Percy Street was found to have the highest average annual level of NO2 in our region, closely followed by Mosley Street.

Gilesgate in Durham was ranked third on the list, while two locations on the Gateshead side of the Tyne Bridge made the top 10.

Here are the North East locations ranked by their annual average level of NO2:

Location Reading (in ug/m3)
Percy Street, Newcastle

58.4

Mosley Street, Newcastle

58.1

Gilesgate, Durham

53.6

Gosforth High Street, Newcastle

53.5

Neville Street/Westgate Road, Newcastle

52.9

Tyne Bridge approach roundabout, Gateshead

51.2

Tyne Bridge east side, Gateshead

50.2

Church Street, Durham

49.9

Market Street, Newcastle

49.8

Blackett Street/Northumberland Street, Newcastle

49.2

ChronicleLive previously reported Gosforth High Street as the most polluted road in Newcastle after it registered the highest NO2 reading in the city. The Friends of the Earth data reports a lower reading as its figures based on the public exposure to air pollution levels.

A total of 30 North East locations were found to have breached the national objective of 40ug/m.

Gosforth High Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Gosforth High Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle was responsible for 16 sites, County Durham for eight, Gateshead for five, and Sunderland for one.

No locations in North Tyneside , Northumberland , and South Tyneside were found to have breached the national objective.

Simon Bowens, a Friends of the Earth campaigner for Yorkshire and the North East, said:  “It’s unforgivable to see many locations across the region over air quality limits, leaving thousands of us breathing dangerously polluted air.

“Air pollution is often an issue thought of as affecting only the biggest cities. The reality is that unacceptably toxic air can be found across much of the UK, even in smaller towns.

Where in your area has the highest levels of air pollution?

Listed below are the North East locations where air pollution was found to be above the national objective of 40 ug/m:

County Durham: Gilesgate (53.6), Church Street (49.9), Church Street (47), Church Street (43.8), Sutton Street (43.3), Nevilles Cross Bank eastbound (41.3), Colpitts Terrace (40.5), Sutton Street (40.4)

Gateshead: Tyne Bridge roundabout (51.2), Tyne Bridge east side (50.2), Tyne Bridge east toilets (46), Tyne Bridge west side (45), Tyne Bridge east side (43.6)

Newcastle: Percy Street (58.4), Mosley Street (58.1), Gosforth High Street (53.5), Neville Street / Westgate Road (52.9), Market Street (49.8), Blackett Street / Northumberland Street (49.2), Swan House / Pilgrim Street (48.3), St Marys Place / John Dobson Street (48.2), Near Forth Banks / Pottery Lane (46.7), Neville Street (44.6), City Road (42.4), Pilgrim Street (42), Strawberry Place (41.7), Pilgrim Street / Swan House Roundabout (41.3), Grainger Street / Market Street (41.1), John Dobson Street / North Street (40.5)

Sunderland: North Bridge Street (40)

* Some locations appear more than once with readings from multiple monitoring devices.

"It is harming the health of people across the country and is especially bad for young children whose lungs are still developing.

“The government needs to step up and do more to deal with this air pollution crisis – they can’t just carry on leaving the difficult decisions with local authorities, many of which are severely under-resourced.”

The Friends of the Earth data audit comes as Gateshead Council chiefs fear Blaydon and Scotswood bridges could become Tyneside's new pollution hotspots.

A toll on the Tyne, Redheugh, and Swing bridges is one of two competing options being considered to slash dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide on Tyneside's busiest routes, the other being a wider Clean Air Zone in which only high-polluting vehicles would be charged up to £50 a day.