Bath and North East Somerset Council is required by law to review and assess the air quality throughout the district. The Council has a comprehensive monitoring network that provides data on air pollution. Levels of nitrogen dioxide are compared to the National Air Quality Objectives. If these levels exceed the objectives, an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) must be declared and then an Action Plan must be undertaken.
The Air Quality Management Area in Bath was originally declared in 2002 and covered an area including the London Road and Cleveland Bridge. Monitoring data has since indicated a need to expand the Air Quality Management Area, which now covers most of the principal road network in central Bath (see map below for AQMA declared in 2008).
Monitoring data for 2008 and 2009 shows that the annual average levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeded the objectives across the AQMA in the city centre. The highest concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were recorded at Lambridge, followed by Broad Street, Walcot Terrace, Wells Road (northern section), Victoria Terrace, Bathwick Street, The Paragon, Somerset Street and St James’s Parade. Some areas were just above the air quality objectives including High Street, Lower Bristol Road and George Street.
Map showing the current extent of the Air Quality Management Area in Bath (pdf 1 Mb)