Air quality
Local air quality management: guidance
Local authorities have statutory duties for local air quality management (LAQM) under the Environment Act 1995.
They are required to carry out regular reviews and assessments of air quality in their area against standards and objectives in the national Air Quality Strategy and which have been prescribed in regulations for the purpose of LAQM. Where it is found these are unlikely to be met, authorities must designate air quality management areas (AQMAs) and prepare and implement remedial action plans to tackle the problem.
Authorities have been required to take account of such guidance in carrying out their duties since February 2003.
- Policy guidance LAQM.PG(03) (PDF 300 KB) - Product code PB7516
- Technical guidance LAQM.TG(03) (PDF 1.6 MB) - Product code PB7514
Printed copies are available from Defra publications
Addendum to Local Air Quality Management Guidance LAQM.PGA(05)
- Addendum to Local Air Quality Management Guidance LAQM.PGA(05) (PDF 250 KB) - March 2005
This Addendum updates the statutory LAQM policy guidance, LAQM.PG(03), issued in February 2003, and is intended to assist local authorities with integration of action plans into local transport plans, in accordance with Freedoms and Flexibilities agenda for local government.
It applies to English local authorities; however, it should be noted that different arrangements apply for local transport planning in London (see the Introduction in Chapter 1 for further information). Local authorities have to have regard to this guidance when carrying out their duties under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, and should read it in conjunction with the Full Guidance on Local Transport Plans issued by DfT in December 2004.
"Stage 4" assessments
Progress report
This guidance document is designed to assist local authorities in the preparation of air quality Progress Reports which form part of the local air quality management (LAQM) system introduced in the Environment Act 1995 and subsequent Regulations.
- Local air quality management progess report guidance (PDF 100 KB) - 2003
Further information
- Air Quality Management Areas (on Air Quality Archive website)
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Page last modified
14 September 2007
Page published 6 February 2003