Six Kirklees areas see major improvements in air quality

Kirklees Council's Cabinet have approved changes to the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in the borough at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday 8 July. This follows a significant improvement in air pollution levels across the district after a continued reduction in roadside air pollution.

Why we have AQMAs

AQMAs are put in place in areas where air pollution exceeds national standards. Thanks to improved air quality over the past five years, six of the district's ten AQMAs have been recommended for withdrawal or amendment.

Air quality is improving across Kirklees

The AQMAs at Cooper Bridge and Bradley, Scouthill in Ravensthorpe, and Birkenshaw will all be completely revoked. AQMAs at Ainley Top, Liversedge, and Thornton lodge will be amended to cover a smaller area. However, the AQMAs for Eastborough, Edgerton, Outlane, and Huddersfield will all be retained.

This recommendation follows consultation with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), councillors in the affected wards, and local authorities who also cover any of the AQMA areas.

Councillor Beverley Addy, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:

"This is fantastic news for Kirklees. Cleaner air brings real benefits to everyone, especially to young children and those with health conditions. The fact that we're seeing such improvements really does mean people will live healthier lives.

"We want to create more clean, safe, and healthy places in Kirklees, and this brings us one step closer. We are taking further steps towards cleaner air with a new Sustainable Fleet Board which will focus on reducing the emissions of council vehicles, and by supporting the transition to more electric vehicles in Kirklees by increasing the number of electric vehicle chargers through the LEVI fund."

How air quality is monitored

Pollution levels aren't just monitored in AQMAs, air quality is tracked across the district using DEFRA-approved 'diffusion tubes' which look out for nitrogen oxides. The council also has air quality stations which monitor background pollution and levels of particulates in the wider area. Monitoring continues both inside and outside of AQMAs to ensure sustained improvement.