A residential area in Kirkstall is one of five pollution hotspots in Leeds to be removed from an action list after securing improved air quality in line with national standards.
Council chiefs today confirmed the removal of the Normans, situated off the busy A65, has been an air quality management area (AQMA) since 2010 and had been closely monitored for the quality of its environment.
As first revealed by WLD in March, Leeds City Council has now formally revoked five of its AQMAs – neighbourhoods previously identified as failing to meet clean air standards – after comprehensive monitoring has shown air quality to be within the UK guidelines for a number of years.
The five areas also include Ebor Gardens in Burmantofts, Caspar Apartments in Little London, The Tilburys in Holbeck; and Chapel Hill in Morley.
The AQMAs were initially declared between 2001 and 2017 as areas where the annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels exceeded legal limits. A sixth AQMA, covering Main Street in Pool-in-Wharfedale, met air quality objectives for the first time in 2023 so will remain in place to allow for continued assessment.
Monitoring will also continue at the locations of the revoked AQMAs for the foreseeable future to ensure levels stay compliant. Nitrogen dioxide is mainly from vehicle exhaust emissions and all AQMA areas were close to busy roads.
Council chiefs say changing travel behaviours, a rise in the use of electric vehicles and major highways improvements, are among factors likely to have contributed to the city’s healthier air.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “It is fantastic news that air quality in some of our most congested areas has improved to such an extent that these AQMAs – some of which date back over 20 years – have now been formally revoked.
“This continues the long-term trend in Leeds where air quality has significantly improved in recent years, thanks to a truly city-wide effort, which has seen major changes in travel and transport as well advances in air quality monitoring and a focus on public health outcomes.
“Breathing in polluted air can lead to serious and long-lasting health problems and it has long been our priority to tackle this critical issue and protect the health of everyone in the city.
“We know there are no truly ‘safe’ levels of air pollution and lower levels of air pollution inside and outside of buildings still pose a health challenge to vulnerable people.
“It is vitally important that we all do what we can to improve air quality. As a council we will lead by example and – through our ambitious and wide-ranging Leeds Air Quality Strategy – continue to drive down pollution levels further to make Leeds a healthier, better place to live.”
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