Town to be removed from pollution hotspot register
Lydney town centre has seen significant air quality improvements
Air quality in a Gloucestershire town has improved so much it is being taken off a register of pollution hotspots – thanks in part to 20mph speed limit and low emission cars.
Lydney town centre has for many years suffered from traffic congestion which has been contributing to the accumulation of exhaust emissions.
The Hill Street junctions with Forest Road and Bream Road have been particularly bad with cars idling and stop start traffic has resulted in a build up of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceeding the national levels.
An air quality management area (AQMA) was declared in 2010 due to the levels of pollution.
This incorporated High Street, east of the Town Hall, Hill Street and Newerne Street, and extends up Bream Road and Forest Road.
But data now confirms that after five years of monitoring they are now compliant with the levels.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) recommends revocation after three consecutive years where the pollutants are below 90 per cent of the relevant national objective.
The Lydney AQMA has met these criteria, and Defra have requested the council considers its revocation.
And now the Forest of Dean District Council’s cabinet has approved the move.
Although no specific measure was put in place to address the poor air quality behavioural and technological changes have taken place and are believed to be the main reasons we have seen a fall in NO2 concentrations to below the UK objectives.
This is includes a rise the number of people working from home following the Covid pandemic, reducing the need to travel.
An increase in the number of virtual meetings, again, reducing the need to travel.
And the improvement in engine and exhaust technology reducing harmful emissions from petrol and diesel cars.
There has also been an increased uptake of low and ultra-low emission vehicles.
And in 2013, a 20mph zone was introduced to Lydney town centre, stretching from the High Street to Highfield Road.
There was a noticeable small drop in NO2 concentrations after the speed limit change suggesting this may have also contributed to the improvements in air quality, according to the report presented to the cabinet meeting on October 9.
Environment cabinet member Jackie Fraser (G, Mitcheldean, Ruardean and Drybrook) said: “The air quality management area was put in place due to concentrations of nitrogen dioxide being above the UK objective.
“Since then monitoring has continued, and the data now confirms that with five years of monitoring, we are now compliant with the levels.
“So in accordance with the local air quality management guidance, the council is now expected to revoke the air quality management area.”
Lydney Town Council had asked for the air quality management area to remain in place due to the increase in housing in the area.
They said in a letter to the District Council that the associated traffic movements from these new homes presents an ongoing concern for local air quality.
Cllr Fraser said she understands their concerns and the District Council has written to them regarding their concerns with future development plans for Lydney.
“Key areas in Lydney will continue to be monitored,” she said.
“This isn’t just a complete withdrawal.”
Councillor Chris McFarling (G, St Briavels) said it was a great report and they were
“I have no problem in revoking the AQMA other than the WHO has lowered the harmful levels of air pollution,” he said.
“We have thousands of people who would die prematurely due to air pollution in this country.
He echoed the officer’s suggestion to develop an air quality strategy to improve it even further.
Cllr Sid Phelps (G, Lydbrook) there was only one air quality management area in the district and after the revocation of Lydney there will be none in the Forest.