Rochford District Council is to declare the first Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for the District, at Rawreth Industrial Estate, due to marginally high levels of dust in the area.
The designation of an AQMA, as agreed at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 27 January, recognises the need for the implementation of an action plan to:

• reduce dust levels
• improve the health and quality of life of the public
• protect the environment
• make improvements to the area for residents and businesses.

Although the levels of dust found were only marginally above those recommended, the Council wants to work proactively with businesses on the industrial estate to find a solution which is most beneficial for all parties involved.
As such, Council officers have already put arrangements in place since January 2009 to double the frequency of the sweeping of roads in the area to minimise levels of dust.

Rochford District Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Richard Evans, said: “The area has been monitored over recent years and it has been found that the potential for dust is above the nationally prescribed levels. As such, the Council want to act to protect the welfare of residents and will be working together with businesses in the area towards mitigating the release of dust from both business premises and the use of the road”.

The Council will start a period of public consultation next week to ascertain the geographical boundary of the area affected and after this, develop an action plan to address the issue.

The Council takes the issue of air quality seriously and is currently monitoring other locations within the District, including Rayleigh High Street.