SOUTHAMPTON civic leaders claim bringing in a clean air zone will not affect jobs, or damage the city’s economy.

But rival members have hit back, saying residents, including business owners, are telling them the opposite.

Nevertheless, new Green City cabinet member Steve Leggett said the council has “not seen any evidence of an economic impact” on the city if a zone was introduced.

“There is no evidence to say that jobs will be impacted,” he added.

However, Councillor Peter Baillie, said: “You say there is no evidence of economic impact, for a clean air zone, on companies.

“But all the companies that I have spoken to say there will be a major economic impact if a chargeable zone is brought in.

“We need to be talking to the right people as they’re telling us there will be major job losses.”

But Cllr Leggett responded: “We have seen no evidence of this. “We have not seen any evidence of an economic impact.

“My face-to-face meetings with the many companies provided no information on this. We have been working on developing a partnership with businesses.”

Dan Fitzhenry, Conservative leader, said: “I am really shocked by what I am hearing.”

As reported, many companies that are based and operate in the city have voiced their opposition to the zone, which the council say could charge commercial vehicles up to £100 a day to enter Southampton.

Southampton Shipowners Association, a group which represents businesses and employers from the local port community, warned that the city faced the prospect of losing “a significant number of quality jobs”.

MP for Itchen Royston Smith even claimed the clean air “tax” will “finish businesses”

But, at the Full Council meeting, labour councillors accused Mr Smith of “scaremongering”.

Deputy council leader Jacqui Rayment said: “This side of the chamber is taking clean air seriously.

“We want to make Southampton a greener city.”

It comes after the 12-week consultation on the zone closed last week, with more than 8,000 local residents taking part.

The local authority has been tasked to reduce its nitrogen dioxide amount to the EU-imposed level of below 40 micrograms per cubic air metre by 2022. It is currently 42 micrograms.