Air Quality

Air Quality in the Borough

Background

The Royal Borough is required by legislation to periodically review and assess the air quality within its area as part of the Government's National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS). The strategy considers a number of pollutants that have the potential to affect human health depending on their concentration in the air we breathe and the degree of exposure. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) from road traffic sources are the most common assessed by Local Authorities. The NAQS sets targets for acceptable levels and compliance dates Air Quality Objectives (AQO) - link for each pollutant.

The local air quality 'Review and Assessment' process known, as "Local Air Quality Management" (LAQM) is an ongoing requirement being progressively more focused at each stage. The objective is to monitor relevant pollutants and identify any areas where residents may be exposed to exceeding concentrations of the AQO. Where a such area is identified Local Authorities are required to designate an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

In the main air quality across the Borough is good, there are however areas where the annual mean AQO for NO2 is exceeded. There are currently three AQMA's in the Royal Borough:

1. Maidenhead AQMA, in and around the town centre
2. Windsor AQMA, western area around Clarence Road roundabout; and
3. Bray/M4, area around the M4 flyover along A308

The assessments that identified the above areas are the Detailed Assessment 2004, the Further Assessment 2006, and the Detailed Assessment 2008.

Following the declaration of an AQMA a Local Authority is required to formulate and implement an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). This plan details the measures that the Authority in association with relevant stakeholders is to put in place to work towards achieving the AQO. Exceedences of the NO2 AQO within the Royal Borough are due to road traffic emissions and therefore the AQAP forms an integral part of our Local Transport Plan.

Air Quality Monitoring

Continuous monitoring

The Council runs two continuous monitoring stations to measure ambient concentrations of NO2 at the roadside in Frascati Way, Maidenhead and Clarence Road roundabout, Windsor. The stations are part of the London Air Quality Network (LAQN). The concentrations are recorded, validated and published by the Environmental Research Group at Kings College London who operates and manage the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) and its londonair website. http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/default.asp

The website is user friendly and is an excellent tool to view past and present air quality data as monitored by the Royal Borough and all other local authorities that make up the network. Weekly and monthly reports for each of our monitoring sites are available and it is possible to check compliance with the AQO over any twelve month period. The site also offers detailed information and useful links about air quality in the South East.

Diffusion Tubes monitoring

As well as our two continuous air quality monitoring stations we also have a network of passive air monitoring sites that help us monitor air quality at a number of locations across the Borough. Four week average concentrations are monitored by NO2 passive diffusion sampler (little tubes generally mounted to a lamp column near residential properties). This is a much less sophisticated, inexpensive mean suited to cover wider areas, to monitor trends and to complement continuous monitoring. Recent monitored NO2 concentration and monitoring sites are included in the Progress Report 2011.

Should you require any further information please contact the Customer Service Centre: 01628 683 830 or use the Customer Service Centre Enquiry Form

Useful Links:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/airquality/local/

http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/air-quality/

http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/default.asp

http://www.airquality.co.uk/

How do you rate this information/service?