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Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council

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Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council TONBRIDGE & MALLING BOROUGH COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995 LAQM DRAFT AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN June 2011 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council LAQM – Draft Air Quality Action Plan This page is left blank intentionally. Air Quality Action Plan – 2011 2 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council LAQM – Draft Air Quality Action Plan CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Description of the Local Authority Area...................................................................... 4 1.2 Legislative Background .............................................................................................. 4 1.3 Scope of the Action Plan............................................................................................ 5 1.4 The Role of Relevant Authorities in Action Plan Development .................................. 6 2 Overview of Air Quality in Tonbridge and Malling .............................................................. 8 2.1 Local Air Quality Management – Review and Assessment........................................ 8 2.2 Monitoring data......................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Source Apportionment and Required Reduction in Concentrations......................... 14 3 Existing Policies and Strategies....................................................................................... 16 3.1 Regional Strategy: The South East Plan.................................................................. 16 3.2 Local Transport Plan for Kent (2006 – 2011) ........................................................... 18 3.3 Growth without Gridlock: A Transport Delivery Plan for Kent (2010) ....................... 18 3.4 Local Transport Plan for Kent (2011 onwards)......................................................... 19 3.5 Kent Environment Strategy (2010 - 2013)................................................................ 20 3.6 Transportation Strategy for the Borough.................................................................. 20 3.7 Tonbridge and Malling Local Development Framework ........................................... 21 3.7.1 Core Strategy .......................................................................................................21 3.7.2 Development Land Allocations Development Plan Document .............................22 3.7.3 Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan.....................................................................22 3.7.4 Managing Development and the Environment Development Plan Document .....23 3.8 Tonbridge & Malling Local Strategic Partnership Sustainable Community Strategy (2009 – 2012)....................................................................................................................... 23 3.9 Tonbridge and Malling Climate Change Strategy (2008 – 2011) ............................. 24 4 Consultation ..................................................................................................................... 25 5 Action Plan Proposals for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council................................. 26 5.1 Specific Measures to be implemented in the AQMAs .............................................. 27 5.1.1 AQMA 1: M20 AQMA (NO2 and PM10) ...............................................................................27 5.1.2 AQMA 2, 5 & 6: Ditton, Aylesford, Larkfield A20 AQMAs (NO2) ........................................27 5.1.3 AQMA 3: Tonbridge High Street AQMA (NO2)...................................................................29 5.1.4 AQMA 4: Wateringbury AQMA (NO2).................................................................................30 5.2 General Measures to be implemented Borough-Wide ............................................. 33 6. Implementation and Monitoring........................................................................................ 42 7. Glossary of Terms............................................................................................................ 43 8. References....................................................................................................................... 44 Air Quality Action Plan – 2011 3 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council LAQM – Draft Air Quality Action Plan 1. Introduction 1.1 Description of the Local Authority Area The borough of Tonbridge and Malling lies in the heart of Kent and is an area of variety and historical interest. The borough is dotted with numerous picturesque villages including West Malling, East Malling, Ightham, Offham, Trottiscliffe, Aylesford and Shipbourne. The River Medway flows in a north easterly direction through Tonbridge and the Medway Gap in the North Downs. Industry and commerce are concentrated around Tonbridge, Aylesford, Ditton, Larkfield and Snodland. Mineral extraction has been carried out in the area for many years. Paper and packaging mills, distribution, general and light industry and many small businesses make up the industrial scene. The borough is a popular area for office location and high tech development, particularly at Kings Hill business and residential community. The borough is well served with roads and there are two main railway lines to London and the Channel ports. The main source of air pollution in the borough is road traffic emissions from major roads, notably the M20, M26, M2, A20, A21, A25, A26, A227, A228 and A229. The Council has declared six Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA)1 in relation to road traffic emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO2) and one area (M20 corridor) for particulates (PM10). These six AQMAs are considered within this Air Quality Action Plan. These areas include: Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 1: M20 AQMA (NO2 and PM10) Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 2: Ditton AQMA (NO2) Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 3: Tonbridge High Street AQMA (NO2) Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 4: Wateringbury AQMA (NO2) Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 5: Aylesford AQMA (NO2) Tonbridge and Malling AQMA 6: Larkfield AQMA (NO2). Other pollution sources, including commercial, industrial and domestic sources, also make a contribution to background pollution concentrations. 1.2 Legislative Background Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 places a statutory duty on local authorities to periodically review and assess the air quality within their area, as part of a process known as Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). The air quality objectives that apply to LAQM are defined in the Air Quality Regulations 20002 and Air Quality (England) (Amendment) Regulations 20023 for seven pollutants of concern to health: benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, particulates - PM10. This Action Plan focuses on two of those pollutants included in Air Quality Regulations for the purpose of LAQM, that have been identified as key polluting sources affecting air quality within the Council’s administrative area: nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates (PM10). The objectives set out in Regulations for these pollutants are presented in the Table 1.1. 1 Geographic areas defined by high levels of pollution and exceedences of air quality objectives. 2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 928) 3 The Air Quality (England) (Amendments) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 3043) Air Quality Action Plan – 2011 4 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council LAQM – Draft Air Quality Action Plan Table 1.1 – Air Quality Objectives included in the Air Quality Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England Date to be achieved Concentration Pollutant Objective by and maintained measured as thereafter Benzene 3 running annual 16.25 µg/m 31.12.2003 All authorities mean Authorities in England and Wales 5.00 µg/m3 annual mean 31.12.2010 only 1,3 Butadiene 3 running annual 2.25 µg/m 31.12.2003 All authorities mean Carbon monoxide maximum daily Authorities in 3 10.0 µg/m running 8-hour 31.12.2003 England, Wales and mean Northern Ireland only 0.5 µg/m3 annual mean 31.12.2004 Lead All authorities 0.25 µg/m3 annual mean 31.12.2008 200 µg/m3, not to be exceeded hourly mean 31.12.2005 Nitrogen dioxide a more than 18 times a year All authorities 40 µg/m3 annual mean 31.12.2005 50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded Particulates (PM ) 24 hour mean 31.12.2004 10 more than 35 times a year (gravimetric) b All authorities 40 µg/m3 annual mean 31.12.2004 350 µg/m3 not to be exceeded 1 hour mean 31.12.2004 more than 24 times a year Sulphur dioxide 125 µg/m3 not to be exceeded All authorities 24 hour mean 31.12.2004 more than 3 times a year 266 µg/m3 not to be exceeded 15 minute mean 31.12.2005 more than 35 times a year a EU Limit values in respect of nitrogen dioxide to be achieved by 1st January 2010. There are, in addition, separate EU limit values for carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, lead and PM10, to be achieved by 2005, and benzene by 2010. b Measured using the European gravimetric transfer sampler or equivalent. Where the results of the review and assessment process highlight that problems in the attainment of health-based objectives for air quality will arise, the authority is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). Section 84 of the Environment Act 1995 imposes duties on a local authority with respect to AQMAs. The local authority must carry out a further assessment and draw up an action plan specifying the measures to be implemented within the AQMA, and the time-scale for doing so, to move towards attainment of the air quality
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