§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have adopted strategies to reduce air pollution by(a) five per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 15 per cent., (d) 20 per cent. and (e) over 20 per cent. [41951]
§ Angela EagleThis information is not held centrally. Under the new Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system, which came into effect at the end of December 1997, district and unitary local authorities are currently reviewing the quality of the air within their area assessing it against statutory objectives for seven key pollutants. These objectives are based on those in the UK National Air Quality Strategy.
Localities must be designated Air Quality Management Areas where the review and assessment show that national measures will not ensure the objectives are achieved by the end of 2005. The relevant local authority must then prepare an action plan in pursuit of the objective(s).
The LAQM guidance which we have published to assist local authorities is listed in Environment Circular 15/97 (Welsh Office Circular 63/97) and is available in the Library.
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§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances it is permitted to proceed with road-widening schemes where the consequential PM10 pollution levels exceed 50 microgrammes per cubic metre of air as a 24-hour running average; and if he will make a statement. [41791]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 13 May 1998]: The objectives contained in the National Air Quality Strategy for achievement for 2005, including the one for PM10 would be taken into account in the appraisal of a proposed road scheme against the Government's five criteria of integration, accessibility, environment, economy and safety.
Where an exceedence of a National Air Quality Strategy objective is forecast, whether or not as a consequence of the scheme proceeding, the local authority would be required to declare an air quality management area covering the area of anticipated exceedance. An action plan would then have to be prepared by the local authority, in consultation with the highways authorities, the Environment Agency and other stakeholders. The action plan would identify a range of measures, to be applied either locally or further afield, aimed at securing the achievement of the objectives throughout the air quality management area. Such measures might include enhanced traffic management, the application of more stringent emission limits to industrial processes or increased domestic smoke control.