Revocation of Air Quality Management Areas

Background

For some time now the Council has been undertaking air pollution monitoring at various sites across Cheshire East to determine whether the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are above the UK air quality objective, which is set as an annual mean of 40 µg.m3 (micrograms per cubic metre). All the monitoring data can be found on our air quality web pages.

Where levels of nitrogen dioxide are above the objective, local authorities are required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The purpose of the AQMA is to ensure that the Council implements measure to reduce the concentration of NO2 within the area. In total, over several years, the Council was required to declare 12 AQMAs and has been working on measures to improve the air quality within these areas.

Current day

Over the last 3-5 years, monitoring data shows that in 11 of the areas, the concentration of NO2 has declined significantly and is now consistently below the national objective. Reasons for the improvement in NO2 concentrations are due to a number of factors, but the most important are improved traffic flow, with new roads such as the Congleton Link Road and an increase in the number of low emission vehicles. The increase in the number of low and zero emission vehicles will continue to improve air quality.

Next steps - engagement

A Detailed Assessment has been completed for each AQMA, which has been submitted to and accepted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). These can be viewed below, along with the proposed Revocation Order for each AQMA. In accordance with Defra guidance and advice to the Council, it is now our intention to revoke the following 11 AQMAs:

1. Congleton Borough Council AQMA (West Road, Congleton) declared 01/05/2005 (West Road Detailed Assessment and proposed West Road order)
2. Congleton Borough Council AQMA (A34A54 Rood Hill, Congleton) declared 01/05/2005 (Rood Hill Detailed Assessment and proposed Rood Hill Order)
3. Congleton Borough Council AQMA (Lower Heath, Congleton) declared 01/04/2008 (Lower Heath Detailed Assessment and proposed Lower Heath Order)
4. Congleton Borough Council AQMA (A5022/A534, Sandbach) declared 01/04/2008 (A5022/A534 Detailed Assessment and proposed A5022/A534 Order)
5. Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (A537 Chelford Road, Knutsford) declared 01/11/2019 (Chelford Road Detailed Assessment and proposed Chelford Road Order)
6. Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council AQMA (Hospital Street, Nantwich) declared 15/12/2006 (Hospital Street Detailed Assessment and proposed Hospital Street Order)
7. Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (A523 London Road, Macclesfield) declared 01/04/2010 (London Road Detailed Assessment and proposed London Road Order)
8. Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (Broken Cross, Macclesfield) declared 01/10/2017 (Broken Cross Detailed Assessment and proposed Broken Cross Order)
9. Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (Hibel Road, Macclesfield) declared 01/10/2017 (Hibel Road Detailed Assessment and proposed Hibel Road Order)
10.  Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (Chester Road, Middlewich) declared 01/10/2017 (Chester Road Detailed Assessment and proposed Chester Road Order)
11. Cheshire East Borough Council AQMA (A533 Lewin Street, Middlewich) declared 01/11/2019 (Lewin Street Detailed Assessment and proposed Lewin Street Order)

Going forward

The Council will continue to monitor NO2 in the 11 AQMAs to confirm that the concentration of NO2 remains compliant with the national objective and to gauge improvements in local air quality over time.

We will also continue to progress measures within our Air Quality Action Plan, drive forward both the Air Quality Strategy and the Low Emission Strategy, whilst promoting air quality awareness campaigns and education.

Page last reviewed: 12 September 2024