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Air Quality in the Borough of Fareham

General Information

Fareham Borough Council regularly monitors emissions to air, land and water to record, in particular, levels of nitrogen dioxide, radiation and bacteriological contamination respectively.

 

The Regulatory Services department also regulates certain industrial processes such as the crematorium, paint sprayers, a foundry, a printing process and a surface coating process.

 

Air Quality Review and Assessment

Fareham Borough Council has certain statutory duties in respect of local air quality management under the Environment Act 1995. The Council has to carry out regular reviews and assessments of air quality in the Borough. Where pollution levels exceed objective levels, the Council must designate air quality management areas (AQMA) and implement remedial action plans to tackle the air pollution problem.

 

Reviews may include monitoring work concentrating on busy roads and road junctions in respect of emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulates, both of which can have an effect on health, from road vehicle exhausts.

 

As required by the Environment Act 1995, a study of the air quality in the Borough was completed in 1999. The results indicated that the level of air pollutants were within specified limits and an air quality management area was not declared for Fareham Borough Council.

 

A further study known as an Updating and Screening Assessment (3,344 Kb) PDF logo was undertaken in 2003 in respect of 7 air pollutants and again the results were favourable. A detailed assessment to determine if any air quality objective was likely to be exceeded in a particular area of the Borough was not required.

 

The conclusions of this study were approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

 

An air quality progress report (1,033 Kb) pdf icon was submitted to DEFRA in May 2004. This report utilised results from an extended nitrogen dioxide survey in the Borough using up to 20 diffusion tubes. This report recommended that a detailed assessment of air quality was required in two areas of the Borough that is, Gosport Road Fareham and Osborn Road South Fareham.  Details of this detailed assessment are as follows:-

 

Detailed Assessment of Air Quality - (3,533 Kb) pdf icon Fareham Borough Council - June 2005

 

 

Process

A consultant was employed to undertake a detailed assessment of nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) levels in specific areas of concern within Fareham Borough Council.

 

Computerised air pollutant dispersion modelling was used to reflect the results from monitoring sites across the assessment area and allow for the comparison of pollutant concentrations against the Air Quality Objectives for nitrogen dioxide (40ug/m3 to be achieved by 31 December 2005). The detailed assessment should identify with reasonable certainty whether or not an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) should be declared and the extent and magnitude of the same.

 

The information used for the detailed assessment included:

  • Traffic data from Hampshire County Council including manual and automatic traffic counts;
  • Local monitoring data for nitrogen dioxide obtained from the use of over 20 diffusion tubes at background, kerbside and roadside locations.
  • Background concentrations of nitrogen dioxide using maps produced by DEFRA and local monitoring data;
  • Use of a dispersion modelling methodology known as ADMS-Roads dispersion model using vehicle emission factors released by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2002;

Results of the Detailed Assessment

  • Hartlands Road, Fareham

The results of the dispersion modelling predict that the annual mean objective will be met at this location.

  • Osborn Road South, Fareham

Again, the modelled prediction is one of compliance.

  • Gosport Road, Fareham (A32)

Measured and predicted levels of nitrogen dioxide in this area show an exceedence of the annual mean objective in 2005 (and 2010). The maximum annual NO2 concentrations predicted are confined to the junction where Newgate Lane (B3385) and Redlands Lane join the Gosport Road (A32). The key areas of exposure are confined along the north-west and south-east sections of the junction of the Gosport Road (A32), Newgate Lane and Redlands Lane, Fareham. This is a particularly busy road section as the Gosport Road is a direct route of traffic from Gosport to the M27 leading to Southampton, Portsmouth and beyond.

Recommendations of the Detailed Assessment

  • To install a continuous analyser at an appropriate location in the vicinity of the junction of Gosport Road (A32), Newgate Lane and Redlands Lane, for a minimum of 6 months, in order to confirm the findings of the detailed assessment. Triplicate NO2 diffusion tubes to be co-located with analyser. A continuous monitor will provide more reliable NO2 concentrations.
  • Following the continuous monitoring along the Gosport Road, Fareham a decision will be taken in respect of whether or not to declare an AQMA.
  • An updated traffic count should be undertaken on the Hartlands Road (off the junction of the A27/A32) in order to provide more detailed information on traffic flows in the area. Further diffusion tubes also required on Hartlands Road.
  • Further diffusion tubes required at roadside as opposed to a kerbside location on Portchester Road and West Street, Portchester.

Response from DEFRA

The detailed assessment report was sent to DEFRA for approval. DEFRA approved the installation of a continuous monitor for nitrogen dioxide concentrations on the Gosport Road, Fareham for 6 months. A site was chosen and the equipment was installed at the end of December 2005.  The results of this monitoring will be used for further air quality review and assessment work. 

 

DEFRA did not agree with undertaking continuous monitoring prior to declaring an AQMA. DEFRA required Fareham Borough Council to declare an AQMA along the Gosport Road together with the 6 month period of continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide in the same area.

 

The AQMA was declared on 1st April 2006.  The area covered by the AQMA.  Further work is required to clarify the size and location of the AQMA and to produce an action plan of possible remedial action in respect of nitrogen dioxide levels.

 

Consultation

Electronic copies of the detailed assessment with approval of DEFRA have been sent to the following consultees for their information:-

  • The Environment Agency
  • The Highways Authority
  • All neighbouring local authorities
  • Hampshire County Council
  • Internal departments such as Planning
  • Bodies representing local business interests and other appropriate stakeholders.

Letters have also been sent to residents of Gosport Road detailing the detailed assessment and the location of the AQMA.

Local Transport Plan 2006-11

Fareham Borough Council has responded to the draft Local Transport Plan 2006-11 which includes a five year strategy in respect of air quality. The County Council states that they will assist all district authorities with the development of Air Quality action plans where Air Quality Management Areas are declared. They also state that where new AQMAs are declared such as may occur along the Gosport Road, they will be incorporated within the air quality strategy. The latter will look to develop a programme of transport solutions to reduce the volume of traffic within and around Hampshire and therefore reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere close to the roadside. The recent decision of the government to withdraw support for the Light Rapid Transport System (LRTS) may severely affect the possibility of improving air quality along the Gosport Road due to increasing traffic exhaust emissions.

Future Action

A further updating and screening assessment (3,533 Kb) pdf icon was required by DEFRA by April 2006.  This was submitted and the following recommendations approved:

  1. A further stage 4 review and assessment of the AQMA must be undertaken and reported to DEFRA by January 2007 which will detail whether or not the AQMA is located correctly, pollutant source apportionment eg traffic to assist with action planning and some indication of the actions required to improve air quality in the AQMA eg LRTS.
  2. A further detailed assessment of nitrogen dioxide levels is required for diffusion tubes on the Gosport Road, Fareham that are currently outside the AQMA.  This may result in the extension of the AQMA. 

The above recommendations were actioned in 2006 and a combined report (6,594 Kb) pdf icon was produced in May 2007 for both the further assessment of the AQMA and a detailed assessment of diffusion tubes outside the latter. This report concluded that the following actions should occur:-

 

  • The existing AQMA on the Gosport Road Fareham to remain in place;
  • A new AQMA to be declared for the houses on Portland Street Fareham and
  • Several nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes to be relocated from lampposts onto the facades of relevant properties.

This report is now out for public consultation. Residents in both locations have been written to and any relevant comments from the public are welcomed. A hard copy of the report is available at Regulatory Services Civic Offices Civic Way Fareham. The deadline for such comments was 18 September 2007. Late comments can be made by post to Environmental Health Manager, Pollution, Regulatory Services Civic Offices Civic Way Fareham Hampshire PO16 7AZ or by email to regulatory@fareham.gov.uk. Your comments will be considered in any decision regarding the existing and new AQMAs. Any comments relating to proactive measures that could reduce emissions from vehicles using either road would also be welcomed.    

Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) 2007 - Portland Street, Fareham

The AQMA for Portland Street, Fareham was declared on 1 December 2007 for nitrogen dioxide from vehicle exhaust emissions. 

 

Air Quality Action Plan

Air Quality Action Plan pdf icon (1,941 Kb)

 

Following the declaration of an AQMA, an air quality action plan (AQAP) must be developed to improve air quality in the AQMA with an associated timescale. The AQAP will be dependant on Hampshire County Council’s local transport plan (LTP). The current LTP details improvements up to 2011 for Hampshire. Fareham Borough Council has now produced a draft joint AQAP for the Gosport Road Fareham AQMA and the new AQMA on Portland Street Fareham.

 

Examples of the improvement actions included in the draft joint AQAP are as follows:-

  • Providing an alternative to the light rapid transit system between Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth;
  • To improve emission standards of the Fareham Borough Council fleet;
  • To seek a reduction in emissions from the local bus fleet;
  • To pursue emission testing in the AQMAs;
  • To provide “Turn off your engine” signs in the bus station/taxi ranks;
  • To erect signs on the Gosport Road Fareham alerting vehicle users to the areas of poor air quality and indicating the need to Share Cars etc;
  • Develop a Quality Bus Partnership for the A32;
  • To provide a bus/rail interchange facility at Fareham rail station;   
  • To undertake improvements to the Quay Street roundabout in conjunction with the retail development of the old foundry site;
  • To provide real time bus information at bus stops;
  • Promotion of work travel plans including reduction in freight emissions and
  • Promotion of public transport.

Your views and comments on the AQAP are now being sought. Which of the actions would you like to see implemented? Are there any actions you do not favour? In addition, please provide your own ideas on how to reduce congestion and improve air quality due to traffic emissions on these roads. Your attention is drawn in particular to the summary table of actions shown in Appendix 6 of the plan and the full explanation of the actions provided in section 10. Your response will be considered prior to the publication of the final version of the AQAP.

 

The improvement actions have yet to be ranked in terms of cost and benefits as comments are also welcomed on the qualitative scoring given to such aspects of each option. Ultimately, the Council will be looking to implement those actions with a large benefit/low cost ratio before those with a low benefit/high cost outcome. Once the air quality objective is achieved, no further action may be necessary.

 

Please provide your comments either by email to regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or by post to Regulatory Services, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham, PO16 7AZ.

 

The deadline for comments is 18 April 2008.

Further Information

Further information on air quality can be found at the following web sites:

For further information regarding the air quality review process or any other matter such as bonfire smoke, dust, fumes, odours and noise, please do not hesitate to contact Regulatory Services on 01329 236100 or email regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.