Air Quality Reports

Bexley undertakes regular review and assessment of local air quality as required by the Environment Act 1995. Air quality in Bexley is compared against national air quality objectives for seven key atmospheric pollutants, 1-3 butadiene, benzene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, fine particles (PM10) and sulphur dioxide.

The first round of review and assessment concluded that concentrations of fine particles in Manor Road and Erith were above the national air quality objectives. The principle source of pollution at that time was found to be the suspension and resuspension of material from the road surface. The Manor Road Air Quality Management Area was declared in (DATE) and an air quality action plan was prepared. The aim of the air quality action plan is to move towards the national air quality objectives and has focussed upon reducing road surface contamination with soil.

The second round of review and assessment found that concentrations on main roads (A2 and A206) and close to congested junctions exceeded national air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide.

The third round of review and assessment has just started with the third round Updating and Screening Assessment. This report follows shortly after the second round Review and Assessment. A summary of the boroughs air quality monitoring results up to 2005 can be found in this report. The report concludes that there is no need to progress to a Detailed Assessment of local air quality for the third stage of review and assessment of local air quality, as there have not been any significant changes in the borough since the second round of assessment.