Improved air quality in Stratford-on-Avon District

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet approved the revocation of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) in Stratford-upon-Avon and Studley, which were introduced in 2006 and 2010, respectively.

Local authorities are required to assess the current and likely future air quality of their areas based on national standards set by DEFRA. The pollutants assessed are:

• Nitrogen dioxide
• Particulate Matter
• Sulphur Dioxide

When these standards are not met, Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are put in place, alongside measures to reduce pollution levels in the area.

The District Council have two AQMAs (one in Stratford-upon-Avon and one in Studley) for elevated levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. For the last 5 years, Air Quality monitoring in both Studley and Stratford-upon-Avon has shown a fall in pollutant levels. Therefore, the Air Quality Management Areas will be replaced with a District wide Air Quality Strategy, which will detail measures to further improve air quality.

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: "Officers will continue to monitor air quality using the tools already in place. The new Air Quality Strategy will provide a more meaningful action across the District to further improve air quality."

Find out more about Air Quality Management on our website.