Local quality management and monitoring

We take our statutory responsibility for assessing air quality seriously. We are committed to improving air quality in the borough, to benefit residents, businesses and visitors. Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) is part of UK law within the Environment Act 1995 and is also set in the Air Quality Strategy.

Air quality work has led to the declaration of seven Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in Gravesham. The adoption of two Air Quality Action Plans and an Air Quality Strategy. The air quality in those seven areas did not meet the National Air Quality Strategy Objectives for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2­) and/or Particulate matter (PM10). This was mainly due to exhaust emissions from traffic, or fugitive dust in the Northfleet Industrial AQMA, such as windblown dust from the cement works, local aggregate sites and construction. We were obliged to declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in those areas.

List of AQMAs declared in the borough:

  • A2 Trunk Road AQMA (Nitrogen dioxide NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10))
  • Northfleet Industrial Area AQMA
  • A226 One-way system in Gravesend (Nitrogen dioxide NO2)
  • B262/B261 Pelham Arms Junction (Nitrogen dioxide NO2)
  • A227/B261 Wrotham Road/Old Road West Junction
  • The Echo Junction Area incorporating the junction of Parrock Road, (B261) Old Road East, Whitehill Road, Sun Lane and Cross Lane East (Nitrogen dioxide NO2) and
  • The Parrock Street Area incorporating the stretch of Parrock Street from the point at which Parrock Street crosses the railway southwards to the junction of Christ Church Road,  and Lord Street from its junction with Parrock Street to its junction with Windmill Street (Nitrogen dioxide NO2)