Rawreth Industrial Estate AQMA Consultation

Between 17 February 2010 and 6 April 2010, we invited comments relating to the creation of our first Air Quality Management Area at Rawreth Industrial Estate and including some nearby residential properties. This consultation included a presentation to West Area Committee on 4 March 2010.

Below is a link to a map that shows the predicted average daily levels of fine airborne dust (PM10) in the area of Rawreth Industrial Estate. It was created using computer modelling software and past monitoring results.

The homes and businesses within the red zone are potentially exposed to high levels of fine airborne dust on more days per year than is desirable. As a result, we consulted with all homeowners and businesses within the red and orange zones requesting their comments.

Guidance advises that when an AQMA is created, as a minimum, all relevant premises potentially exposed to air quality above the target level should be included. Relevant premises include homes.

The results of the consultation informed the report to Executive on 21 April 2010, which contains the area officers now recommend becomes the Rawreth AQMA.

Technical Summary

The 2007 National Air Quality Strategy sets out the target levels for each of the pollutants that all Local Authorities must try to achieve. These targets, known as Objectives in the Strategy, are expressed as maximum ambient concentrations not to be exceeded, either without exception or with a permitted number of exceedances, within a specified timescale.

The PM10 Objective is a daily average level and is as follows: 50µg/m3 (50 micrograms per metre cubed) not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year.

The modelling report collated monitoring data from previous years and has created a map showing the predicted average daily levels of PM10 at and around Rawreth Industrial Estate. An average level of 32 or above, when put in to the standard conversion equation, predicts that more that 35 days in a year will exceed an average level of 50µg/m3.

In this case, long-term modelling predicts an average level of 50µg/m3 or more on 36 days per year. However, short-term modelling predicts an average level of 50µg/m3 or more up to 46 days per year (17 of which are due to high background levels over which we have no control. Examples of contributory sources include Saharan sand and sea salt).

Further information

This page will be updated as the process of creating an AQMA and action plan progresses. Should you wish to speak to an officer regarding the issues covered on this page, please call the Environmental Protection Unit on (01702) 318045.

To view copies of the reports to Executive (27 January 2010), West Area Committee (4 March 2010) and Executive (21 April 2010) regarding the creation of the AQMA, please follow the link below.

Further information regarding air quality management can be found following the links.