National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS)

In 1995 The Environment Act was passed. This provided a new statutory framework for air quality management. In response to this, in 1997 the Government established a National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS). This demonstrated that good air quality was seen to be important to sustainable development and the creation of an environment where individuals and communities can thrive.

The NAQS sets objectives and required local authorities to take steps to review and assess air quality in a process known as Local Air Quality Management. This process helps ensure air quality is taken into consideration during local authority decision and policy-making processes and provides the basis for action where improvements are found to be necessary.
See links to the right for the complete National Air Quality Strategy.


Cambridgeshire Air Quality Review and Assessment (AQRA)

A partnership of the five District Councils and the County Council was set up in 1997 to tackle air quality issues. Since 1997, two Air Quality Review and Assessment (AQRA) reports have been published. This first AQRA took place between 1997 and 2000 and spanned three stages, which can be found through the links on the right.

A Second Review and Assessment (together with Appendices) was published by the County and District Councils in 2003. This updated the earlier reports with current monitoring data and modelling predictions. The 2003 AQRA exercise examined main road traffic and industrial sources of air pollution in the county and reported that the national air quality objectives for 2005 are likely to be met across the County for benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead and nitrogen dioxide. The report however notes that Nitrogen dioxide levels in Cambridge city have given some concern and so detailed monitoring continues. In all areas but Wisbech, it is expected that, assuming all scheduled work is undertaken, the Sulphur Dioxide and Fine Particles objectives are likely to be met. In Wisbech an Air Quality Management Area has been declared (as a result of the First Report) and so an Action Plan is being implemented.

In addition to this, the County Council is promoting a number of measures that will help reduce transport impacts and therefore reduce the emission of air pollutants. The Sustainable Travel page contains more details. The Council's Environment Strategy and Action Plan , which sets out a range of environmental targets, will also assist in cutting emissions and promoting more environmentally sensitive practices.