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A plea to charge for lorries using the Port of Dover has been ruled out.

Cllr Nathaniel Richards asked for the levy during a key meeting because of their contribution to traffic problems and fears about pollution levels.

But Cllr Nigel Collor, Dover District Council portfolio holder for access and licensing, said it was not justified as pollution in the area had gone down.

He said: "Given the recent improvement in air quality there seems to be little justification to introduce such measures.

"The trend for Kent is for air quality to deteriorate. But in Dover it has improved."

Cllr Collor said there had been tests of levels of nitrogen dioxide on the A20 Snargate Street that had shown reductions of pollution in the town.

Cllr Richard’s motion had said: "With increasing traffic on the Port of Dover starting to impact the air quality and roads surrounding Dover, would the portfolio holder for access and licensing be willing to consider working with relevant partners to introduce a congestion charge for all HGVs using the port, in order to use the levy collected to combat these issues?”

It has was heard during the session of councillors' questions to cabinet portfolio holders where no vote is taken.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Richards said the congestion toll could have raised valuable revenue for the town centre and says he is now considering putting forward his suggestion so it can be officially voted on by councillors.