Issue details - Air Quality Action Plan

Under the provisions of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 the local authority has a statutory duty to review and assess air quality in their area. Local Air Quality Management Policy Guidance PG09 has been issued by the Secretary of Sate and local authorities must have regard to it when carrying out their local authority management duties.

1Under section 84 (2)(b) of the Act the local authority has a duty to produce an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) and submit to DEFRA following declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The latest AQMA was declared in August 2013 and there is a requirement to submit the AQAP within 18 months of the declaration. The AQMA declaration was made in relation to nitrogen dioxide and exceedance of the annual average and hourly objectives. The annual air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide is 40 µg/m3.

The 2015 AQAP was submitted to DEFRA in February 2015 and has also completed a comprehensive consultation process both internally and externally.