A Grimsby Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has been revoked following a coordinated Action Plan and a period of sustained improvement in air quality.
In accordance with the Environment Act 1995, the level of Nitrogen Dioxide must not exceed 40micrograms/m³ in a certain area. In September 2010, levels were recorded as being 48.4 micrograms/m³ on average, triggering an AQMA along Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby.
The primary source of this air pollution across the borough is from transport and industry.
The monitoring of air quality in NEL takes place using two real-time air quality monitoring stations. These are located in Grimsby on Cleethorpe Road and Peaks Parkway, both monitoring Nitrogen Dioxide levels.
In addition to these, there are approximately 35 diffusion tubes located in North East Lincolnshire, giving Borough wide coverage, these indicatively measure the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide. The location of these tubes is reviewed on a yearly basis, concentrating on areas with large traffic volumes and potential new developments.
The initial Action Plan was published in 2012 setting out the measures the Council intended to introduce to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels within that area.
As a result, junction alterations were made at Riby Square to help improve traffic flow and bring pollution levels down during 2015. The Action Plan was revised in 2020 and a new Air Quality Action Plan was adopted, outlining additional measures to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations further in the AQMA.
To revoke the AQMA, Councils must have three consecutive years of readings below 40 micrograms/m³ in the specific area. In 2021, this standard was met.
However, the Council continued to take readings for two further years to confirm the improvement in air quality and to compensate for the abnormally low levels of traffic during Covid-19. The AQMA was officially revoked on May 25 2024.
Speaking about the revocation, Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said: “All people in North East Lincolnshire should enjoy good health and wellbeing.
“The revocation of the AQMA is a positive step, it demonstrates that the Council has committed to the actions set out within the Action Plan and successfully improved Nitrogen Dioxide emissions within that area.
“This step forward will improve the quality of life and life chances of our residents and enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the borough.”
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