National Air Quality Strategy

The UK Government published its strategic policy framework for air quality management in 1995 establishing national strategies and policies on air quality, which culminated in the Environment Act, 1995. As a requirement of the Act, the Secretary of State prepared a National Air Quality Strategy. The National Air Quality Strategy provides a framework for air quality control through air quality management and air quality standards.

In 1998 a National Air Quality Strategy was drawn up by the government which set out plans to improve and protect ambient air quality in the UK in the medium term. The proposals aimed to protect people’s health as well as the environment, without imposing unacceptable economic or social costs. The Strategy is subject to regular reviews and was last reviewed in 2007 - see external DEFRA links at the very bottom of this page. 

The National Air Quality Strategy gives local authorities targets (known as objectives) as proposed by the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) for the UK Government. These new air quality standards and their objectives have been enacted through the Air Quality Regulations in December 1997 and its later revisions. The Environment Act requires Local Authorities to undertake air quality reviews. In areas where air quality objectives are not anticipated to be met by their specific year, local authorities are required to establish Air Quality Management Areas.

 

Joint Herefordshire and Worcestershire Air Quality Strategy

The 6 district Worcestershire authorities and Herefordshire Council have produced a joint Herefordshire and Worcestershire Air Quality Strategy (see the three PDF documents below) to try and create a more holistic approach in tackling air quality across the two counties and work towards meeting the air quality objectives within the National Air Quality Strategy. The joint Herefordshire and Worcestershire Air Quality Strategy sets out a framework for improving air quality and details commitments, particularly for communication and co-operation between local authorities, external organisations and the community.