The Malton air quality management area was set up to reduce ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide in Malton.
Themes
- Environmental risks
- Air quality
- Preventing respiratory Illness
Locality
Malton, North Yorkshire - Ryedale District Council
Aims
To reduce ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Malton so that annual mean concentrations do not exceed 40 μg/m3 (called the annual mean air quality objective) at relevant locations.
Currently annual mean NO2 concentrations exceed the set level at several locations in Malton. These locations have been included in the Malton air quality management area, due primarily to emissions from road vehicles and therefore measures to reduce NO2 levels are traffic related.
Details
The Malton air quality management area was established by Ryedale District Council in December 2009.
The extent of the air quality management area was determined by a detailed assessment using monitoring results and modeling.
Having declared the air quality management area, the council had a statutory duty to draw up an air quality action plan. This involved joint working with North Yorkshire County Council and other organisations to identify viable measures that will work towards achieving the air quality objective within Malton. The action planning process is also intended to encourage active participation in the achievement of air quality improvement measures by involving consultation with the local community and raising awareness of air pollution issues.
As is true for the vast majority of air quality management areas in England, elevated levels of NO2 in Malton arise from road vehicle exhaust emissions largely due to heavy traffic congestion during the daytime. This is a consequence of high volumes of traffic and the road configuration - a busy crossroads and the York to Scarborough railway level crossings result in queuing and stop/start traffic movements, which results in higher emissions. Other factors are road gradients, the narrowness of the roads and relatively tall buildings which creates confined spaces where pollutant dispersion is restricted.
The Malton plan, which was adopted by the council in January 2012, focuses on measures to reduce vehicle movements. The measures include:
- Upgrading of a junction on the A64 Malton by-pass to allow traffic to avoid driving through the affected areas (the improved junction was completed in September 2012);
- Various changes to traffic controls in Malton intended to encourage motorists to utilise the upgraded junction; and
- Steps to encourage reduced car use, to raise awareness of the necessity to improve air quality, and to build support for action plan measures.
The difficulty in achieving significant reductions in NO2 levels in the area is considerable. This is illustrated by the fact that of over 400 air quality management areas designated for annual mean NO2 breaches, less than ten have achieved their aim. It is too early to assess the impact of the Malton plan. Not all the measures have been implemented yet and there is not sufficient NO2 and traffic data at this stage to allow a proper impact analysis to be done.
How will this case study improve health and reduce health inequalities?
Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide are associated with adverse health effects because of respiratory effects. The young, elderly and individuals with pre-existing health problems, including people with asthma, are at greater risk. In the UK ambient NO2 levels may be associated with an increase in daily mortality rates and increases in hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
In the Malton air quality management area most residential properties are situated close to the edge of the narrow roads and pavements which characterise the area. If action plan measures to reduce NO2 levels succeed this will reduce the exposure of residents.
Contact details
Steve Richmond, health and environment manager
Ryedale District Council
Tel: 01653 600666
Email: steve.richmond@ryedale.gov.uk
Web: www.ryedale.gov.uk/environment_and_planning/pollution/pollution_control_air_quality.aspx
Web: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk
