We are responsible for monitoring and assessing air quality in Cambridge.
Like many other urban areas, Cambridge has an air quality problem.
An air pollution leaflet is available which explains where to get up-to-date information on current levels of pollution, what it can mean for your health, and what you can do about it.
Review
The first review and assessment of local air quality process was completed in 2000.
The work showed that although the air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide were being exceeded in some locations in Cambridge, the objectives were likely to be met by 31 December 2005.
However, the work undertaken for the second review and assessment (the Updated Screening and Assessment Report and the Detailed Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide) showed that the air quality objectives for the annual mean nitrogen dioxide level were unlikely to be met in some areas of Cambridge city by 31 December 2005.
Air quality management area
An air quality management area (AQMA) must be declared where monitoring and modelling indicates that the objectives are not likely to be met.
The AQMA for Cambridge was agreed in 2004.
The area includes the parts of the city most severely affected by air pollution:
- the area around the bus station
- the trafficked parts of the historic core
- the inner ring road
- junctions with the inner ring road
- main radial routes into the city
The boundary of the area was therefore defined by the inner ring road and some extension along radial routes.
Map of the air quality management area
You can download a map of the air quality management area.
Action plan
Once an air quality management area has been established it is a legal requirement to prepare an air quality action plan.
The pollutant we are primarily trying to reduce is nitrogen dioxide and this is mainly traffic related.
Where road traffic is the primary source of pollution leading to an AQMA, it is recommended that action plans are integrated into local transport plans so that the issues can be addressed together.
Our scientific officers, who monitor air quality, worked closely with the county council to integrate our air quality action plan within the county's local transport plan (LTP) as recommended by Defra.
This integrated approach will enable the city and county councils to tackle traffic related emissions effectively and minimise consultation costs for both authorities.
Low emission zone
The main element of the action plan is the development of a low emission zone for the historic core of the city.
This involves the setting of minimum standards for buses and taxis entering the centre of Cambridge.
Regulation of goods vehicles will also be considered.
Expansion of the core traffic road closure programme to further limit access to the city centre is proposed as well as a 20mph speed limit in parts of the city centre.
Other measures
Other measures proposed for the action plan include:
- a proactive stance on land use planning in relation to air quality - air quality assessment will be required for new developments likely to impact on the AQMA
- continued support and expansion of the Park & Ride scheme
- continued limitation of parking in the core area by our adopted car parking standards
- twice-yearly roadside emission testing of private vehicles in association with the vehicle inspectorate
- full implementation of our walking and cycling strategy - the walkit.com website provides walking directions and a map showing the quickest walking routes around Cambridge, as well as routes which minimise exposure to air pollution.
Further review and assessment
Alongside the development of an action plan, local authorities must undertake a further review and assessment.
This 'stage four' assessment will provide the technical justification for the measures we include in our action plan.
It allows us to confirm our original assessment of air quality, and to calculate more accurately how much of an improvement in air quality would be needed to deliver the air quality objectives within the AQMA.
We may also refine our knowledge of the sources of pollution, take account of local policy developments, undertake further monitoring and respond to consultation in this further assessment.
Air quality reports
Air quality reports are downloadable from the national air quality strategy page.
