LAQM - Air Quality Management Areas Action Plans & Strategies

Service Definition

When a Local Authority has identified breaches of the National Air Quality Objectives (NAQOs) in their area as part of their Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) plan they must declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) and prepare Action Plans (AP) for these areas. Effective Action Plans will enable the council, through a structured programme, to achieve compliance with the objectives in the designated areas.  

Temple Environment has developed a number of air quality management services specifically for Local Authorities to assist them in the assessment and designation of AQMAs and the production and implementation of Action Plans and strategies.

AQMA and Action Plan Services

Temple Environment can undertake the following to support Local Authorities in designation and remediation of air quality black spots and develop strategies to prevent their reoccurrence.

• AQMA assessment and designation and Action Plan development
• Detailed assessment interpretation
• AQMA scope and position determination
• AQMA declaration
• Order preparation
• Local transport plan consultation
• Air quality assessment within AQMA
• Source contributor quantification
• Cost benefit analysis of improvement options
• Air quality assessment draft report
• Intra and inter-local authority liaison
• Stakeholder consultation
• Action plan preparation

Air Quality Strategy Development

• Prepare air quality strategies
• Undertake stakeholder consultation
• Manage inter and intra LA liaison

The Temple Environment air quality team can take full responsibility for the performance and reporting required for AQMA designation and Action Plan development or, if you prefer, we can guide and inform your in-house team through the process.

Deliverables

Temple Environment can develop on your behalf or support your production of:

• Air Quality Management Area orders
• Local air quality reports for council use
• Draft and final reports on subsequent air quality assessments
• Final action plans
• Air quality strategies

Triggers

Local Authorities that have identified potential breaches of NAQOs during the detailed assessments completed in 2004 may require assistance in the designation of AQMAs and the development of action plans to rectify the problems found.

In addition, Local Authorities have the option to develop air quality strategies however the government has recommended that all authorities, particularly those that have not had to designate AQMAs, develop a strategy to ensure that standards are maintained.

Targets

Air quality strategies are vital for councils that already pass the NAQS to maintain the high standards they have achieved and forestall problems that could arise in the future.

AQMA assessment, designation and action plan development is vital for authorities that identify problem areas within their remit. Legislation is tightening on air quality and local authorities must demonstrate the strategies they have developed and implemented to rectify problems highlighted by the additional statutory assessments.

Charging Structure

A guide to some of the costs involved with AQMA designation and the preparation of strategies and action plans.

 The Temple Environment air quality team consists of highly skilled and dedicated environmental professionals with extensive experience of air quality issues and legislation and their impact on local authorities.

Our company structure allows Temple Environment the flexibility to offer clients the level of support and service that they require, when they need it. We can take responsibility for all your statutory air quality monitoring and reporting responsibilities or we can provide support on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to your own team in the development of their plans and strategies.

Temple Environment is quality assured and accredited to ISO 9001 and 14001 standard.

Contacts

If you are based at a local authority and have any questions regarding your responsibilities with respect to air quality in your area or would like to talk further about the services that  Temple Environment can offer, please contact us on 0207 394 3700.

Alternatively, if you have a general enquiry about legislation, service, local issues, etc, please contact us on enquiries@templegroup.co.uk

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