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) (270 KB) - Product code PB7516
• Technical guidance LAQM.TG(03) (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) (230 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.

Changes since the draft Addendum was published in November 2004

The Addendum has not changed significantly since the draft Addendum was published for consultation in November 2004. Following receipt of the consultation responses, we have incorporated amendments and suggestions where appropriate, to provide further clarification for authorities.

Further printed copies are available from Air & Environment Quality Division, Zone 4/E12, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DE or Tel: 020 7082 8399/8871.

Background to the Addendum guidance

Defra published a draft Addendum for consultation in November 2004 with a request for comments by 14 February 2005. A summary of the main comments received including Defra's responses to those comments received has also been published.

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