Stage 1: The Air Quality in Waltham Forest is reviewed and assessed to determine if the air quality objectives are likely to be met in 2005.
Stage 2: An Air Quality Management Area is declared to cover the area where the air quality problem is.
Stage 3: An Air Quality Action Plan is drawn up. This will set out how the air quality objectives will be met.
These have been completed now and the whole Borough has been declared an Air Quality Management Area. The designation of the Air Quality Management Area means that under Section 84(1) of the Environment Act 1995. Waltham Forest is required to carry out a further assessment of existing and future air quality. This will show how great an improvement is needed.
If the air quality targets will not be met by 2005, then the council must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). It will then be required to carry out detailed monitoring in the area concerned, followed by the development of an Action Plan, which sets out our policy for reducing pollution levels within the AQMA.
The outcome of this process is that the Council Cabinet has endorsed the decision to declare the whole borough an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
Stage 4: The Stage 4 review and assessment confirms the findings of the stage 3 assessment, that the pollutants of concern for Waltham Forest are nitrogen dioxide and PM10; the objectives for which will not be met along busy roads in the borough. In addition, a series of locations across the borough were chosen to help understand the source contribution of oxides of nitrogen and PM10.
The effect of a London-wide Low Emission Zone to reduce traffic emissions was also modelled.
Maps of Air Quality In Waltham Forest
Predicted annual mean NO2 objective for 2005
Predicted 24 hour mean PM10 objective for 2004
Predicted annual mean NO2 objective for 2005 low emission zone
Download: The Stage 4 Review and Assessement Report
Air Quality Action Plan (2003): This has now been finalised and extensively consulted on. The Action Plan details proposals for improvements in air quality within the borough’s AQMA. These are tabulated at the end of the report. The actions are listed under 5 main headings, with those actions having a direct impact on improving air quality in Waltham Forest listed first, to those actions which will have an indirect impact on improving air quality, such as policy measures.
The six main objectives of the Action Plan are:
- Demonstrate the Council's commitment to improving air quality
- Provide an overview of local key policies with respect to air quality
- Improve air quality while maintaining economic stability and to explore wider economic opportunities.
- Improve all relevant Council departments and external agencies where appropriate, to ensure a balanced and integrated approach
- Engage everyone who lives, works and travels in and through Waltham Forest
- To improve the quality of life and health of the residents and workforce in Waltham Forest
Of all the measures identified in the Action Plan work towards meeting the Governments objectives for Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulates.
The introduction of a London wide LEZ is singularly the most effective measure to improve air quality in London; although a further reduction in traffic levels is required.
Download: A copy of the Council's Air Quality Action Plan
