Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)
Under the Environment Act 1995, local authorities must designate areas where the prescribed Air Quality Objectives are not likely to be met, and where members of the public might reasonably be exposed, as AQMAs.
The recommendation of the Stage 2 and Stage 3 Air Quality Review and Assessment was that Liverpool City Council declare the following Air Quality Management Areas for nitrogen dioxide:
Great Crosshall St. (SJ340900)
Tom Mann Cl. (SJ340900)
Gerard St. (SJ340900)
Sea Brow (SJ340900)
Queens Dri. (SJ400900)
Bowring Pk. Rd. (SJ400900)
Based on this recommendation, four AQMA options for consultation were formulated. The consultation process included the provision of a public consultation document and questionnaire in the One Stop Shops and all City libraries. An article in the City Magazine that was distributed to every household in the City informed people of the consultation process.
AQMA Consultation Options and Results
| Option number | description | % in favour of option |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | To restrict the area to areas of likely exceedence where relevant groups are exposed | 16 |
| 2 | To include all areas of exceedence regardless of exposure of relevant groups | 9 |
| 3 | To declare the whole City an Air Quality Management Area | 23 |
| 4 | To declare an area larger than the exceedence area which takes into account the uncertainties in modelling and allows for a flexible approach to possible transport solutions | 52 |
The majority was in favour of Option 4, to designate an Air Quality Management Area around the M62/ Rocket junction and an area of the City Centre, which is larger than the exceedence area.
What happens after an AQMA has been designated?
An Air Quality Action Plan must be produced which states the measures the authority intends to introduce in pursuit of the Air Quality Objectives.
Liverpool City Council declared AQMAs in June 2003, and any action plans are to be formulated within 12 months of this.
Liverpool City Council is in the process of action planning. Air Quality Consultants Netcen are contracted to explore and advise on possible actions.
The Air Quality Objectives exceedences for nitrogen dioxide are linked to traffic pollution. This means that the most effective action plans will be traffic related. They may include:
- Park & Ride schemes
- Improvements to public transport
- Reduction in parking provision
- Low emission zones
- Adoption of roadside emission testing and enforcement measures
- Promoting cleaner fuels
- Local travel plans
- High occupancy vehicle lanes
- Increase in bus only and cycle lanes
- Pedestrianisation
- Planning policies and other strategies for the reduction of road traffic.
The existing City Centre Movement Strategy and the Local Transport Plan will introduce or encourage many of the measures taken. A multi-agency Air Quality Management Group is meeting to establish viable options and make suitable and sustainable recommendations for improvements in air quality.
Any action plans produced will be subject to widespread public consultation in accordance with DEFRA guidance.
Liverpool air quality management areas
Air quality management area - M62
Air quality management area - city centre
