Rushcliffe’s only remaining Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) at Trent Bridge and the A52 at Stragglethorpe could now be revoked after a considerable improvement in air quality over the last five years.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet is set to discuss the proposals at its meeting on 11 February, with the concentration of nitrogen dioxide levels in these locations having continuously remained below national air quality thresholds since 2020.
The improvements have been linked to measures to reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions, changes in vehicle technology, and lifestyle changes in the wider population in recent years.
The Council approved the adoption of the two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in 2005 and 2011 and has since actively carried out air quality monitoring using specialised equipment.
As part of its air quality management duties, RBC will continue to undertake monitoring across the Borough and report the results to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs annually.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Cllr Rob Inglis, said:
“It is great news that the Borough’s air quality is continuing to improve near some of our busiest local highways.
“It’s down in part to strong partnerships with other agencies that are driving improvements to local air quality and requiring us to review whether AQMA status is needed at these sites at Trent Bridge and Stragglethorpe.
“It builds on previous excellent work by the Council elsewhere in the Borough, which has seen AQMAs revoked, such as at the A52 Nottingham Knight Island and at Barnstone and Langar.
“Monitoring road traffic emissions does not stop here, though, and we will continue to review levels at all relevant locations.”
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