Air quality management

Why it is needed?

Despite considerable improvements in air quality over the last 40 years, air pollution continues to affect human health, our countryside and our towns. The UK Air Quality Strategy sets out the government's plans for improving the air we breathe. The plans focus on reducing concentrations of seven key pollutants by certain dates, to achieve specific health targets. They are:

Air quality management areas

Local authorities are responsible for managing air quality, working with local stakeholders. We review and assess air quality within our area to determine whether we are likely to achieve the targets set out in the UK Air Quality Strategy. If we think we will not meet a target, we have to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) covering the part of the district where the problem lies. We must then draw up an Air Quality Action Plan stating how we will aim to meet the targets, consulting neighbouring local authorities, businesses, local people, the Highways Agency, the Environment Agency and others.

A detailed assessment of three areas within South Gloucestershire; Kingswood, Staple Hill and Cribbs Causeway, identified the Government target for nitrogen dioxide (measured as an annual average) had been exceeded. The Detailed Assessment Report 2008 and Executive Summary are available under the 'Read more' section to the right.

As a result, Air Quality Management Areas were declared by legal order in the following locations:

• Staple Hill – at the Broad Street (A4175), High Street (B4465), Victoria Street and Soundwell Road (A4017) crossroads
• Kingswood – along Regent Street (A420)
• Cribbs Causeway – adjacent to the M5 Roundabout (Junction 17)

The Air Quality Management Area Orders under the ‘Read more’ section to the right, show maps of the declared areas.

Following the declaration, the Council has to undertake a further assessment of air quality in the declared areas and develop an Action Plan aimed at improving air quality within the AQMAs. The Further Assessment has now been completed and a draft Action Plan produced.

We are currently consulting on the outcomes of the Further Assessment and the Action Plan proposals. Further details about this consultation along with links to the consultations for each area can be found on the air quality home page.

South Gloucestershire Council previously declared an air quality management area along the M4, M5, M32 and M49 motorways in November 2001. Following more work, this was revoked in March 2004.

Over half of all local authorities in England have declared air quality management areas, which locally include central Bristol and Bath.