Air quality

The huge increase in the amount of motor vehicle traffic across the country has had very damaging effects on the environment. One of the most significant of these is air pollution. Studies have found that the major source of most air pollutants in Buckinghamshire is vehicle traffic.

Air quality in areas with high concentrations of air pollutants is an important public health risk. People suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma, growing children in general, and also people with cardiovascular (heart) conditions, are particularly at risk.

But even if you don't live or work in areas with poor air quality, or don't fall into a vulnerable health category, this does not mean that you can dismiss the problem of air pollution. Studies have shown that pollution levels inside cars can sometimes be at levels dangerous to people's health. Also motor vehicles emit greenhouse gases that lead to global warming and climate change.

We all need to recognise our responsibility not only to ourselves but also to our fellow citizens and inhabitants of the planet, as well as the natural environment we share. Local Air Quality Management is part of this process, and shows the commitment of the UK Government and local authorities to tackling these problems.

Local air quality management

The Environment Act 1995 requires the district councils in Buckinghamshire review air quality in their areas and assess whether air quality standards and objectives will be met by certain dates. Where it appears that standards are not being met, or are unlikely to be achieved in time, the district Council concerned must declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) and produce Action Plans designed, where possible, with the aim of achieving the prescribed air quality standards.
In our capacity as local highway authority (LHA), we  have an important, statutory, role in supporting the district  councils in assessing and managing local air quality, for example:

• The LHA helps supply traffic monitoring data and traffic projections as input to the Review & Assessment process; We act as a statutory consultee for Reviews & Assessments
• Should an AQMA be declared, and traffic emissions are found to be the primary source of air pollutants, the LHA is required to co-operate in developing an Action Plan, probably consisting of a combination of transport and land use planning measures
• In the past we have voluntarily helped fund the districts' pollution monitoring programmes
• The LHA recognises the need to avoid contributing, through its actions or inaction, to situations where air quality standards may be exceeded. To help with this it aims to ensure that air quality impacts are considered fully in plan and infrastructure development appraisal processes.

For more information on air quality in Buckinghamshire or to express an opinion please contact us on transportps@buckscc.gov.uk or call 01296 382737

Our Transport Policy & Strategy Officers can provide educational presentations to schools on air quality, climate change and the general environment through the Buckinghamshire County Council Local Transport Plan. Please contact us using the above contact details if you are interested.

Buckinghamshire air quality website

In 2001 we helped fund the establishment of a website for all things to do with air quality across Buckinghamshire (including Milton Keynes). This website, which can be accessed by selecting the link below, includes the following information:

• Daily updates about air quality conditions in the County generally
• Air quality archive data
• Information about what members of the public can do to help improve local air quality and reduce global warming
• Information about what people with respiratory health problems can do to mitigate the adverse effects of poor air quality
• Explanation of monitoring techniques used locally
• Links to other useful air quality-related web sites, including the member district councils' specific air quality web pages