Air quality improves in monitored areas of Charnwood

Published: Mon 8th July, 2024

Air quality has improved in four closely monitored areas of Charnwood which have previously had high levels of pollution.

The four zones were designated as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) by the borough council but pollution levels have now dropped to within legal limits.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has now told the council they can no longer be classed as AQMAs as air quality has improved and therefore they must be revoked.

The areas in Charnwood are Loughborough Market Place, the Great Central Railway, Mountsorrel Quarry and around Melton Road in Syston.

Before the AQMAs are revoked, the Council is holding a consultation to give local communities the opportunity to highlight any concerns or make any comments.

Cllr Beverley Gray, the Council’s lead member for climate action and net zero, said: “It is pleasing to hear that the air quality in these four monitored areas has improved over the years and that, as a result, DEFRA have instructed that the Air Quality Management Areas must be revoked.

“It is very important to stress, that this does not mean we will no longer be monitoring these areas, it just means that the air quality has improved and there is no longer a legal imperative to monitor them.

“In order to ensure that the progress on reducing pollution is maintained,  we are going to be developing an air quality strategy for the whole borough. We will be holding a consultation later this year and seeking views from the community. The aim will be to develop a strategy that helps make air cleaner across Charnwood.”

The AQMAs in Loughborough, Shepshed and Mountsorrel have been in place for varying lengths of time, with the oldest introduced in 2001. They were brought in because pollution levels were high in those areas.

The AQMAs required the council to monitor pollution levels very closely and work with partners and local communities to reduce pollution levels. Steps which have helped improve air quality include changes to traffic flow, particularly through Loughborough town centre.

Despite the areas being revoked, the Council will continue to monitor the air quality across Charnwood and submit an annual report into the air quality in the borough to Defra. 

You can find out more about the AQMAs and to make any comments in the consultation, visit our survey.

More details on the AQMAs being revoked can be found on the Council’s website.