Air Quality in the Borough of Fareham

Air Quality Leaflet

Fareham Borough Council's Air Quality Action Plan Steering Group, together with NHS Hampshire has published a leaflet  (1728 kb)  on the subject of poor local air quality due to emissions from traffic and potential health effects.  The leaflet also provides guidance on how individuals can help to reduce local air pollution by considering more sustainable forms of transport such as walking, cycling, taking public transport or car sharing.

If you would like a copy of the leaflet please contact regulatory@fareham.gov.uk.

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 Air Quality Strategy 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) 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) 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)  Fareham Borough Council - June 2005

 

• Process
• Results of the Detailed Assessment
• Recommendations of the Detailed Assessment
• Response from DEFRA
• Consultation
• Local Transport Plan
• Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) 2006
• Future Action
• Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) 2007
• Air Quality Action Plan
• Further Assessment of Portland Street AQMA 2008
• Updating and Screening Assessment 2009
• Gosport Road Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2009
• Progress Report 2010
• Progress Report 2011
• Big Green Commuter Challenge 2012

Progress Report 2008

A further mandatory air quality progress report (6,449 Kb) was produced in March 2008 and provided an update on air quality issues in the Borough of Fareham since the Updating and Screening Assessment (USA) 2006. The Report was undertaken in accordance with the Progress Report Guidance LAQM.PRG(03).

 

The Progress Report 2008 considered new monitoring data; any development changes since 2006 that may have had an impact on air quality  and provided an update in respect of any new planning policies and any Local Transport Plan 2006-11(LTP2) measures that may have the potential to affect air quality.

 

Updated monitoring results for 2007 showed that the NO2 annual mean Air Quality Strategy objective is still likely to be exceeded in the AQMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street and therefore, the Progress Report 2008 recommended that the AQMAs should remain. Other sites outside the AQMAs also exceeded the AQS objective for NO2 in 2007; however, these are kerbside sites and are not representative of public exposure.

 

Therefore, there is was no requirement to further extend the AQMAs or declare a new AQMA in 2008. However, the Council was advised to relocate the remaining kerbside monitoring sites onto the facades of properties so as to monitor NO2 levels at sites relevant of exposure. The Council has moved these tubes and appreciates the cooperation given by the public.

 

Amongst new planned developments in Fareham, the new food retail development at Quay Street Fareham was deemed to be significant in respect of potential impacts on air quality. However, an Environmental Statement completed in 2007, concluded that the development would not increase air pollution levels significantly in the AQMAs in Fareham.

 

In addition, the Strategic Development Area of 10,000 houses planned for the north of Fareham, must be developed so as to have a limited impact on air quality around Fareham.

 

A joint Air Quality Action Plan for the AQMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street in Fareham was completed in 2008. While the document has not been finalised yet, the Progress Report provides a brief summary of proposed measures.

 

The progress made in relation to the proposed measures will be reported in the next Progress Report in 2010.

 

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) 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) 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.

  

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

Following the declaration of an AQMA, an air quality action plan (AQAP) (2,113 Kb) must be developed to improve air quality in the AQMA with an associated timescale. The AQAP is 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 joint AQAP for the Gosport Road Fareham AQMA and the AQMA on Portland Street Fareham.

 

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

• Providing an alternative to the light rapid transit system between Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth; (this is an external hyperlink)
• 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;
• Promotion of sustainable travel information;
• Promotion of public transport;
• Promotion of cycling and
• Promotion of walking

 

The AQAP was approved by the Executive at its meeting on the 8th December 2008.  An implementation group with Member and officer membership is to be established to ensure the progress of the improvement actions.  Regular AQAP progress reports will be submitted to DEFRA and the Executive from 2010.  Results from the continuous nitrogen dioxide monitor on the Gosport Road, Fareham will be used to assess any improvements in air quality over the next few years. 

 

Further Assessment of Portland Street AQMA 2008

Following the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for Portland Street Fareham, a further assessment of air quality (962 Kb) has been undertaken. This assessment was based on advances atmospheric dispersion modelling of NO₂ resulting from road traffic emissions, using updated background pollutant concentrations, air quality monitoring, traffic and meteorological  data for the year 2008.

 

Conclusions of this assessment are that the AQMA in Portland Street should remain as update monitoring data and modelled results both show that the annual mean air quality objective for NO₂ is still likely to be exceeded in this area and that cars and buses both contribute between 16% -19% to the overall NO₂ concentration in the AQMA and HGVs contribute in the range of 13% -16%.

 

The proposed redevelopment of the Quay Street roundabout, the Bus Rapid Transit scheme and the implementation of other mitigation measures contained within the Air Quality Action Plan will all assist in reducing the levels of NO₂ in this AQMA.

 

Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 places a statutory duty on local authorities to review and assess the air quality within their area and take account of Government Guidance when undertaking such work.

 

The Updating and Screening Assessment (USA) (1849 Kb) provides an update with respect to air quality issues within the administrative area. There have been a number of changes since the last (third) round of review and assessments which have been taken into account in this assessment including revised Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Guidance, modelled background concentration maps, updated nitrogen oxides/nitrogen dioxide (NOx/NO₂) conversion calculator, updated future year calculation tools and updates on specific sources (rail, poultry farms and biomass).

 

The USA has included consideration of new monitoring data and emissions sources, in addition to any significant changes to existing emission sources identified in the previous rounds. The USA considers the seven priority health based air quality objectives as laid down in Regulations and assesses the likelihood that the air quality objectives will be met by their target dates. If the air quality objectives are unlikely to be met, a detailed assessment will be required.

 

Having considered each emission source and presented evidence to support the assessment of each, it is concluded that the air quality objectives for benzene, 1, 3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, particulates (PM10) and sulphur dioxide will be met. There is no requirement to undertake a Detailed Assessment for these pollutants.

 

Updated NO₂ monitoring showed that the annual mean Air Quality Strategy (AQS) objective is still exceeded at a number of sites in the Borough. However, all the exceedences were monitored either at sites within the Air Quality Management Areas declared in Fareham for NO₂, or at sites that are not representative of public exposure. Other monitoring sites nearby, located at the façade of properties, were below the objective, and therefore there is no need to proceed with a Detailed Assessment at these sites.

 

An exceedence of the NO₂ annual mean AQS objective was however measured at site G10, north of the Gosport Road Fareham Air Quality Management Area. As this site is located at the façade of a property, a Detailed Assessment is required in this area. This will be undertaken by April 2010.  

 

Gosport Road Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2009

As recommended by the Updating and Screening Assessment 2009, a detailed assessment for nitrogen dioxide (2434 Kb) (NO2) was carried out for the Gosport Road Fareham following an exceedence of the annual mean NO2 objective at a location of relevant exposure along the Gosport Road Fareham, north of the current AQMA, near the junction with Mill Road Fareham.

The detailed assessment was based on advanced atmospheric dispersion modelling of NOx traffic emissions, relying on updated background pollutant concentrations, monitoring, traffic and meteorological data for the year 2009. It was undertaken in accordance with the latest guidance methodology and tools released by Defra.

The findings of the detailed assessment are as follows:-  

 

• Updated NO2 diffusion tube data from 2009 at the site of concern on the Gosport Road indicate that the concentration is now below 40 ug/m3 and therefore complies with the NO2 annual mean objective;
• Predicted concentrations in Fareham confirm that residential properties near the junction of Mill Road and Gosport Road are not at risk of exceeding the NO2 objectives. The NO2 contour map indicates that the area of exceedence is limited to the Gosport Road and does not include any facade of properties outside the AQMAs in Fareham;
• Both monitoring data and predicted concentrations show that there are still exceedences of the NO2 annual mean at locations relevant of public exposure within the Portland Street and Gosport Road AQMAs. Therefore, although there is no need to amend the extent of the AQMAs, these should remain. 

Progress Report 2010

A further mandatory air quality progress report (1,100KB) was produced in May 2010 and provided an update on air quality issues in the Borough of Fareham since the Updating and Screening Assessment (USA) 2009. The Report was undertaken in accordance with the Progress Report Guidance LAQM.PG(09).

 

The Progress Report 2010 considered new monitoring data; any development changes since 2009 that may have had an impact on air quality  and provided an update in respect of any new planning policies and any Local Transport Plan 2006-11(LTP2) measures that may have the potential to affect air quality.  The Council's recently approved Environmental Sustainability Strategy was also considered.  In addition, a progress update is also provided for all improvment actions contained within the Air Quality Action Plan.

 

Updated monitoring results for 2009 showed that the NO2 annual mean Air Quality Strategy objective is still likely to be exceeded in the AQMAs in Gosport Road and Portland Street and therefore, the Progress Report 2010 indicates that the AQMAs should remain. One site outside the AQMAs also exceeded the AQS objective for NO2 in 2009; however, this is a kerbside site and is not representative of public exposure.

 

Amongst new planned developments in Fareham, the new food retail development at Quay Street Fareham and the proposed Bus Rapid Transit system are deemed to be significant in respect of potential impacts on air quality.  Further monitoring of Air Quality in these locations will be used to assess their impact.

 

In addition, the Strategic Development Area of 10,000 houses planned for the north of Fareham, must be developed so as to have a limited impact on air quality around Fareham.

 

The next progress report will be due in 2011.  However, the results of the detailed assessment of Air Quality between the two existing AQMA's is expected in the summer of 2010.

 Progress Report 2011

A further mandatory Air Quality Progress Report was produced in 2011  (699 Kb) which again provided an update on air quality issues in the Borough of Fareham. The Report was undertaken in accordance with the Progress Report Guidance LAQM.PG(09). In conclusion, both AQMAs will remain in place, without amendment.

The Progress Report 2011considered new monitoring data for nitrogen dioxide from 2010. The assessment of the 2010 dataset showed there to be 8 diffusion tubes with an annual mean in excess of the objective for nitrogen dioxide. However, only site G10, on the Gosport Road close to Mill Road Fareham, was confirmed as exceeding the annual mean objective at relevant exposure. The exceedence was minimal and further assessment of the Fareham dataset as a whole, suggested a regional increase in ambient concentrations for 2010. The Council therefore proposes to carry out an additional year's monitoring and review the situation through the 2012 Updating and Screening Assessment (USA 2012). At that time a decision will be made on the need to undertake a Detailed Assessment at this location.

In terms of new local developments, the redevelopment of the Quay Street roundabout and the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system were again discussed as actions possibly resulting in beneficial impacts on local congestion and emissions.

The Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) implementation group continues to meet and pursue the actions in the AQAP where possible including the development of the BRT; the redevelopment of the Quay Street roundabout; the use of a section 106 planning agreement to fund an air quality monitor in the vicinity of Portland Street; Council staff taking part in the Big Green Commuter Challenge 2011; the development of an air quality and health leaflet; the purchase by the Council of an electric vehicle for use in the town centre and a new cycle map published on the Council's website.

In terms of recent planning applications, the Daedalus redevelopment included an air quality assessment as increased traffic movements may result in increased pollution emissions. Reference is also made to Hampshire County Council's new Local Transport Plan and their approach to Climate Change, the Council's Environmental Sustainability Strategy and the Strategic Development Area to the north of Fareham, all of which could impact on air quality in Fareham.

In light of Defra's comments on the 2010 Air Quality Progress Report, the targets and indicators for the existing AQAP measures have also been fully reviewed in the 2011 Progress Report. This should result in significant revisions to the way that many of the actions will be assessed in subsequent progress reporting years. The Executive of the Council will receive a report in the New Year and following public consultation, these new targets and indicators will be incorporated in an updated AQAP. 
 

The next Air Quality report for the Council will be the Updating and Screening Assessment in 2012. 

Big Green Commuter Challenge 2012

For one week in May (14 - 20 May 2012) several local authorities in the region and Groundwork Solent are taking part in the Big Green Commuter Challenge 2012. This is the tenth year of the Challenge but this is the first time that Fareham Borough Council will officially participate.

The Council is looking for other organisations and companies in the Borough to join us in the Challenge. Employees all over the Borough will be encouraged to use alternative modes of transport to the car for their commute to work and for business journeys for a minimum of one day during the Challenge week eg walking, cycling, taking public transport, working from home, car sharing etc.

The Challenge is a competition between workplaces to encourage people to reduce car use, congestion and emissions. Workplaces compete against each other to see which one can cut the most car miles by:- 

• walking
• cycling
• taking public transport
• car sharing
• working from home
• riding a motorbike or scooter

Find out what is involved at www.thebiggreencommuterchallenge.co.uk and register online to take part.

There will be public transport discounts for those taking part; a prize draw open to all; awards based on the size of the employing organisation or company for the most miles saved and the overall winner will receive the BIG Green Commuter Challenge Shield. Finally, an individual special effort prize is normally awarded.
 

If you have any questions in the meantime please contact Heather Cusack at Fareham Borough Council on 01329 236100. 

 

Further Information

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

• Defra (this is an external hyperlink)
• AEA Energy and Environment (this is an external hyperlink)
• The UK National Air Quality Information Archive (this is an external hyperlink)

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.