Air quality management areas
Where the review and assessment has identified that air quality objectives are not being met, Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) may be declared.
Actions taken to improve air quality can be focussed on these areas and their success measured by ongoing monitoring and assessment of these specific areas. Currently there are 10 AQMAs in Southampton.
These are:
| Air quality management areas | Characteristics | NO2 levels - as range of 2012 annual means recorded at roadside/residential facade | 5 year trend | >Annual mean NO2 standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQMA 1 - Bevois Valley Road | Queuing traffic congestion at junctions | 36-52 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 2 - Bitterne Road West | Linear heavily trafficked road in to city centre from the east | 34-41 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 3 - Winchester Road | Queuing traffic congestion at junctions | 38-45 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 4 - Town Quay | Linear, heavily trafficked road, access to IOW ferries, cruise ship terminals | 35-42 ug/m3 | - | 40 |
| AQMA 5 - (1 of 3) Millbrook Road and Redbridge Road |
Linear heavily trafficked road in to container port, high number of HGV's | 35-50 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 5 - (2 of 3) Millbrook Road and Redbridge Road |
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| AQMA 5 - (3 of 3) Millbrook Road and Redbridge Road |
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| AQMA 6 - Romsey Road | Queuing traffic congestion at junctions | 40 ug/m3 | - | 40 |
| AQMA 7 - merged with AQMA 5 | - | - | - | - |
| AQMA 8 - Commercial Road | Queuing traffic congestion at junctions | 44 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 9 - Burgess Road | Queuing traffic congestions at junctions | 34-46 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 10 - New Road | Queuing traffic congestions at junctions | 40-47 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
| AQMA 11 - Victoria Road | Queuing traffic congestions at junctions | 35-43 ug/m3 | Reducing slightly | 40 |
All 10 of Southampton's AQMAs have been declared for exceeding the nitrogen dioxide annual mean air quality standard. Source appointment has shown that road vehicle emissions are the main source of the air pollution.
Pollution levels drop off rapidly from the kerb of busy roads. In general the air quality standard is only exceeded within 10 metres or often less from the kerb.
The actions taken to improve air quality in the AQMAs and across the city are set out in the council's Air Quality Action Plan. Our progress is reported on through our Annual Status Reports.
