Air quality improvement plans after data published

Harborough District Council, which monitors local air quality, has published its air quality annual status report which sets out monitoring results carried out in the district along with any action undertaken to improve air quality.

Generally the air quality in the Harborough district is good; however where it is found that air quality exceeds national standards, the council must declare an Air Quality Management Area and develop an action plan to improve air quality.

In 2001, an Air Quality Management Area was declared in Lutterworth high street.

Newly published data has found most air quality monitoring points across the Harborough district show annual average results within the national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide – with the exception of Lutterworth high street and, in addition in 2016, a small section of the A6 road in the Kibworths which are higher than the air quality standard

As a result an Air Quality Management Area will be declared along a small section of the A6 road in the Kibworths. Residents living within this area have been informed by the council and a public consultation will be launched soon to seek views and possible solutions.

Cllr Neil Bannister, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for environment and regulation said: “As a council we are required to publish and submit our annual air quality findings to the government and, in general, air quality is very good in the Harborough district. However some issues have been recorded in the Kibworths, in addition to the existing issues in Lutterworth. We will continue to work with a number of organisations, including Leicestershire County Council, to seek ways to improve air quality these locations.”

View more information on local air quality, including the 2016 air quality status report and proposed Kibworth Air Quality Management Area, at www.harborough.gov.uk/airquality