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Historical air quality information

In keeping with the Environment Act 1995, we completed a study of air quality in the Borough in 1999. The results suggested that the level of air pollutants were within specified limits and no air quality management areas were declared.

We carried out a further study known as an updating and screening assessment PDF (3 MB) in 2003 for seven air pollutants and results were favourable. Its conclusions were approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). In May 2004, we submitted an air quality progress report PDF (1 MB) to DEFRA, using results from an extended nitrogen dioxide survey in the Borough from up to 20 diffusion tubes. It recommended a detailed assessment of air quality was needed in two areas of the Borough - Fareham and Osborn Road South Fareham.  You can more in the detailed assessment of air quality PDF (3 MB).

 

Progress report 2011

We produced a further mandatory air quality progress report in 2011 PDF (961 KB) to provide an update on air quality issues in the Borough. It was undertaken in keeping with progress report guidance LAQM.PG(09). As a result, both AQMAs will remain in place. The report considered new monitoring data for nitrogen dioxide from 2010. Assessment of the 2010 dataset showed there were eight diffusion tubes with an annual mean of more than the objective for nitrogen dioxide. However, only site G10 on Gosport Road close to Mill Road Fareham was confirmed as exceeding the annual mean objective at relevant exposure. This was minimal so we proposed to carry out an additional year's monitoring through the 2012 updating and screening assessment (USA 2012).

Redevelopment of the Quay Street roundabout and construction of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system were discussed as actions to help local congestion and emissions.

The air quality action plan (AQAP) implementation group continued to meet and pursue the actions in the plan, including developing the BRT, redeveloping Quay Street roundabout, using a section 106 planning agreement to fund an air quality monitoring in Portland Street, Council staff taking part in the Big Green Commuter Challenge 2011, developing an air quality and health leaflet, buying an electric vehicle for use in the town centre and publishing a cycle map on the Council's website.

In terms of recent planning applications, the Daedalus redevelopment included an air quality assessment as increased traffic movements may result in increased pollution emissions. Reference was also made to Hampshire County Council's local transport plan and its approach to climate change, our environmental sustainability strategy and the new community area to the north of Fareham.

Following DEFRA's comments on the 2010 air quality progress report, we reviewed targets and indicators for existing AQAP measures. This will result in significant revisions to the way many actions will be assessed in subsequent progress reporting years. These new targets and indicators were incorporated in an updated AQAP.

Progress report 2010

We produced a further mandatory air quality progress report in May 2010 PDF (1 MB) to provide an update on air quality issues in the Borough. It was undertaken in accordance with progress report guidance LAQM.PG (09). As well as considering new monitoring data and development changes since 2009 that may have had an impact on air quality, it provided an update on new planning policies and local transport plan 2006-11(LTP2) measures that may have affected air quality. Our recently approved environmental sustainability strategy was considered and a progress update was provided for all improvement actions in the air quality action plan.

Updated monitoring results for 2009 showed that the NO2 annual mean air quality strategy objective was likely to be exceeded in the AQMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street so it was agreed that the AQMAs would remain. One site outside the AQMAs also exceeded the AQS objective for NO2 in 2009 but this was a kerbside site so did not represent public exposure.

Among new planned developments in Fareham, the new food retail development at Quay Street and proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) system were deemed to have potential impacts on air quality so further monitoring was agreed. The new community area of 10,000 houses planned for the north of Fareham was also deemed to have a limited impact on air quality around the Borough.

Gosport Road air quality detailed assessment 2009

As recommended by the updating and screening assessment 2009, a detailed assessment for nitrogen dioxide PDF (2 MB) (NO2) was carried out for Gosport Road Fareham near the junction with Mill Road. It was based on advanced atmospheric dispersion modelling of NOx traffic emissions, relying on updated background pollutant concentrations, monitoring, traffic and meteorological data for 2009. It was undertaken in accordance with the latest guidance methodology and tools released by DEFRA. Its findings were:

Updating and screening assessment 2009

Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 places a statutory duty on local authorities to review and assess the air quality within their area and take account of Government guidance in doing so. The updating and screening assessment PDF (2 MB) provides an update on air quality issues. This takes into account revised local air quality management (LAQM) guidance, background concentration maps, updated nitrogen oxides/nitrogen dioxide (NOx/NO2) conversions and updates on specific sources (rail, poultry farms and biomass). It considers seven priority health based air quality objectives and assesses the likelihood that air quality objectives will be met by their target dates. If objectives are unlikely to be met, a detailed assessment will be required.

Having considered each emission source and presented evidence to support this assessment, it concluded that air quality objectives for benzene, 1, 3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, particulates (PM10) and sulphur dioxide would be met. There was no requirement to undertake a detailed assessment for these pollutants.

Updated NO2 monitoring showed that the annual mean air quality strategy (AQS) objective was exceeded at a number of sites in the Borough. However these were either at sites within the air quality management areas declared in Fareham for NO2, or at sites not representative of public exposure. Other monitoring sites nearby were below the objective so did not need a detailed assessment.

We measured an exceedence of the NO2 annual mean AQS objective at a site north of Gosport Road Fareham air quality management area so there would be a detailed assessment by April 2010.

Further assessment of Portalnd Street AQMA 2008

After an air quality management area (AQMA) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was declared for Portland Street Fareham, a further assessment of air quality PDF (961 KB) was undertaken. It was based on advances atmospheric dispersion modelling of NO2 from traffic emissions, using updated background pollutant concentrations, air quality monitoring, traffic and meteorological data.

It concluded that the AQMA in Portland Street should remain as the annual mean air quality objective for NO2 was still likely to be exceeded. Cars and buses contributed between 16% and 19% to the overall NO2 concentration in the AQMA and HGVs around 13% -16%. It was acknowledged that the proposed redevelopment of the Quay Street roundabout, the bus rapid transit (BRT) scheme and implementation of other mitigation measures within the air quality action plan would help reduce levels of NO2 in this AQMA.

Progress report 2008

We produced a further mandatory air quality progress report PDF (6 MB) in March 2008 in keeping with progress report guidance LAQM.PRG(03). As well as considered new monitoring data and changes since 2006 that may have had an impact on air quality, it provided an update of new planning policies and any measures in the local transport plan 2006-11(LTP2) that may have an effect. Updated monitoring results for 2007 showed that the NO2 annual mean air quality strategy objective was still likely to be exceeded in the QMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street so it recommended that the AQMAs should remain. Other sites outside the AQMAs also exceeded the AQS objective for NO2 in 2007 but these were kerbside sites and are not representative of public exposure. As a result, there was no requirement to further extend the AQMAs or declare a new AQMA in 2008. However, we were advised to move remaining kerbside monitoring sites onto properties to monitor NO2 levels. We appreciate residents' co-operation in this.

Among new planned developments in Fareham, the new food retail development at Quay Street was deemed to be significant for potential impacts on air quality. However, an environmental statement completed in 2007 concluded that it would not increase air pollution levels significantly in the AQMAs in Fareham. The new community area of 10,000 houses planned for the north of Fareham must be developed so that it has limited impact on air quality around Fareham.

A joint air quality action plan for the AQMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street in Fareham was completed in 2008.

Air quality management area (AQMA) 2007 - Portland Street, Fareham

An AQMA for Portland Street, Fareham was declared on 1 December 2007 for nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhaust emissions.

Detailed Assessment 2005

A detailed assessment of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in specific areas of concern within the Borough was carried out. It included computerised air pollutant dispersion modelling so that results could be compared against air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide (40ug/m3 were to be achieved by 31 December 2005). Information used for the detailed assessment included:

Results of the detailed assessment

Recommendations of the detailed assessment

Response from DEFRA

We sent the detailed assessment report to DEFRA. It approved the installation of a continuous monitor for nitrogen dioxide concentrations on Gosport Road, Fareham for six months. A site was chosen and the equipment was installed at the end of December 2005. Results of this monitoring will be used for further air quality work. DEFRA did not agree to continuous monitoring before we declared an AQMA and asked us to declare one along Gosport Road together with a six month period of continuous monitoring.

The AQMA was declared on 1 April 2006.

Consultation

Electronic copies of the DEFRA-approved assessment were sent to these organisations:

Letters were also sent to residents of Gosport Road to let them know about the assessment and the location of the AQMA.

Local transport plan

We responded to the draft local transport plan 2006-11 and its five year strategy for managing air quality. The County Council will help all district authorities to develop action plans where air quality management areas are declared. The air quality strategy will aim to develop a programme of transport solutions to reduce the volume of traffic within and around Hampshire to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere close to the roadside. The Government's decision to withdraw support for the Light Rapid Transport System (LRTS) may severely affect the possibility of improving air quality along Gosport Road due to increasing traffic exhaust emissions.

Future Action

DEFRA required a further updating and screening assessment PDF (2 MB) by April 2006. We submitted this and these recommendations were approved:

These recommendations were auctioned in 2006 and a combined report PDF (6 MB) was produced in May 2007. This report included the following actions:

Air quality action plan

Link to the air quality action plan PDF (1 MB).