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ARCHIVE: Local air quality management

Local authorities in the UK have statutory duties for managing local air quality under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and in Northern Ireland, Part III of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.

They are required to carry out regular reviews and assessments of air quality in their area against standards and objectives prescribed in regulations for the purpose of local air quality management (LAQM) before undertaking Action Planning if air quality is found to breach the regulations.

These pages provide additional information on the processes involved in Local Air Quality Management and provide technical and policy support for Local Authorities and practionners to fulfil these requirements.

Review of local air quality management

In 2009 Defra and the Devolved Administrations commissioned a review to assess the operation of local air quality management in the UK and to make recommendations with a view to:

  1.  Improving air quality outcomes
  2. Making better use of available LAQM resources

The report below details the findings and subsequent recommendations of the In-House Policy Consultancy (IHPC) report into Local Air Quality Management (LAQM).

Further information

Page last modified 15 June 2010
Page published 1 July 2002