Pollution and air quality
Air quality review and assessment
The local air quality management (LAQM) process requires us to review local air quality and assess whether health-based objectives will be achieved. LAQM covers a wide variety of potential sources including road traffic, industry and business. If the objectives are not met an air quality management area should be declared.
An annual status report has to be produced every year, and the most recent reports are available below.
Earlier assessments can be requested by contacting us.
Air quality management areas (AQMA)
There are currently four air quality management areas (AQMA) in the borough. In three areas (Chester, Ellesmere Port and Frodsham) the source of the problem is nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from road traffic. In Thornton le Moors it is sulphur dioxide (SO2) from industrial sources.
Action plans
Action Plans identify the options available for the improvement of air quality in the AQMAs. Improvement measures identified in the action plans are developed in consultation with highways, planning and transport departments and, where necessary, the Environment Agency.
Detailed assessments have found that the air quality objectives are unlikely to be exceeded for the following strategy pollutants:
- Benzene
- 1,3-Butadiene
- Carbon monoxide
- Lead
- PM10
The DEFRA website is a useful source of background information on AQMAs.
