The only part of South Lakeland's air that's officially dirtier than the government's targets, is getting better.
Lowther Street in Kendal is the only air quality monitoring site in the South Lakes that's still showing levels of pollution that are too high.
Of 33 sites in the district last year, Lowther Street was the only one found to be showing levels of too much nitrogen dioxide.
Monitoring by South Lakeland District Council shows that pollution levels across the district have been falling over the last five years.
Only two sites in the district were within 10% of the target – down from five in 2014.
Cavendish Street in Ulverston has shown a 31% drop in NO2 levels between 2010 and 2015, while Burgundy’s in Kendal and Crescent Road in Windermere saw a 20% drop in the same period and Millans Park, Ambleside, has seen a 17% fall.
Air pollution from traffic and industry is recognised as having an impact on health and wellbeing.
According to figures from the King’s Fund - the independent charity that conducts research and analysis on health and care in England, the cost of air pollution nationally in terms of its impact on health could be as high as £20 billion a year.
It is estimated to have an effect equivalent to 29,000 deaths each year and is expected to reduce the life expectancy of everyone in the UK by six months on average.
SLDC says NO2 is the only pollutant of concern in South Lakeland. It is a respiratory irritant, can make asthma worse and reduces the body’s ability to fight infection.
It is estimated that in 2010 there were 44 deaths attributable to air pollution in South Lakeland.
Rachel Shaw, Environmental Protection Officer at SLDC said: “We want to shout about the clean air you can breathe in our district and we’re proud of the improvements to date.
“We are still working to bring traffic pollution levels down further though, and we’re encouraging everyone to think about how they travel around South Lakeland to reduce car journeys, pollution and congestion.
“There are multiple benefits to walking, cycling, car sharing or using alternative fuelled vehicles or public transport - not just the health benefits of cleaner air and exercise, but also the money you can save on fuel and parking charges.”
Councillor Sue Sanderson, SLDC’s portfolio holder for Environment and People, said: “These latest figures are good news and we are pleased to see our efforts having such a positive impact.
“But we won’t rest on our laurels and the council is continually looking for new ways of improving air quality around South Lakeland.
“In the latest version of the Council Plan approved last month we have included a pledge to strive for even tougher air quality standards, with a commitment that we will review our air quality action plan to develop stricter air quality measures and investigate options to further improve air quality across the district.’’