Reigate High Street air quality management area
Frequently asked questions about the air quality management area (AQMA) on Reigate High Street.
Why is the Council monitoring pollution on the High Street?
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has an on going statutory duty to assess air quality within the Borough and this includes air quality monitoring. The results of the monitoring are compared to Government objective and European limit values.
What is the problem?
Monitoring data collected during 2004 and 2005 showed that Reigate High Street and the part of Church Street, between the High Street and Bancroft Road, exceeded the UK Government annual average objective for nitrogen dioxide (a pollutant derived from vehicle exhausts) of 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). Concentrations ranged from 38 to 46 µg/m3 in 2005. Computer modelling and further monitoring in 2006 indicated that the concentration of nitrogen dioxide would also fail to meet the UK annual average air quality standard along a 15m strip either side of West Street from the High Street to Evesham Road, on London Road (from West Street to Castlefield Road), and on Bell Street (between the High Street and Bancroft Road).
Is it a health risk?
The levels of nitrogen dioxide measured on Reigate High Street are unlikely to pose a significant health risk to the vast majority of people, and concentrations are projected to fall to 33 to 38 µg/m3 by 2010. As a comparison, in rural areas of the south east levels are likely to be between 20 to 25 µg/m3.
Why has the Council declared an air quality management area?
Under section 83(1) of the Environment Act 1995 local authorities have a duty to designate air quality management areas (AQMAs) where the air quality objectives are unlikely to be met. As such Reigate High Street, Church Street (between Bancroft Road and the High Street), Bell Street (between Bancroft Road and the High Street), a 15 m strip either side of West Street (between the High Street and Evesham Road), and London Road (from West Street to Castlefield Road), have been declared an air quality management area.
What is the Council going to do about the pollution?
Once an air quality management area is declared, the Council is under a statutory duty to draw up an action plan stating how it intends to reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide to below the objective value, and this is due for completion by the end of 2007.
What about businesses?
The air quality standards only apply to residential properties, and not business premises.
Where can I get a copy of the full report?
A full copy of the report that examines air quality along the High Street and at other sites within the Borough can be downloaded here for 2005:
and the latest work on the High Street can be found in the following report:
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
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