Air Quality
Today, air quality issues are at the forefront of both political and environmental issues; this is not surprising due to the increasing concern linking our health to the air that we breathe.
The Council has undertaken and continues to undertake an annual local review of air quality as part of the Government's National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS).
At the majority of our locations we monitor pollution levels generated by traffic emissions at the nearest residential property as advised by AEA Technology, who are central governments advisors.
There are now 27 diffusion tube sites looking at Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the borough, and two continuous monitoring sites. There are three indicative monitors that collect data on Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10). This data is ratified in-house. One of the continuous monitors is permanently sited at Foxhill School. This monitor collects data on NOx, PM10 and ozone (for central government) and gives our urban background. The mobile unit collects data on NOx and PM10 at Downshire Way for a detailed assessment on NO2 for residential receptors in the area. Concerns have arisen from the last Upgrading Screening and Assessment Report for residents in Old Bracknell Close and Boxford Ridge because of elevated levels of NO2.
The indicative monitors are lamp post connected. One is located at Elizabeth Way to monitor Bagshot Road traffic pollution; another is at Binfield Road/Wokingham Road/Millennium Way Roundabout. We plan to locate the last unit in Bracknell Road, Crowthorne in the near future.
The Air Quality Progress Report for 2008 and the Detailed Assessment 2008 for Downshire Way, 3M Roundabount and the Bagshot Road, (which uses 2007 data), is available for consultation until 30 April 2008. DEFRA will also be reviewing the document. Hard copies are available at:
- Time Square Environment Reception, Market Street, Bracknell
- Easthampstead House Reception, Town Square, Bracknell.
The Progress Report 2008 concludes:
- The following sites will no longer be monitored and removed from the survey due to the low level readings of NO2: 7XYZ, 59XYZ, 62XYZ, 63XYZ, 66XYZ, 69XYZ.
- New monitoring sites may be located along the Bagshot Road and Downshire Way to ensure compliance with the 2010 AQO. These roads have been specified as they are currently being investigated in the Detailed Assessment.
- The Bracknell Road in Crowthorne is currently showing NO2 levels approaching the required AQO (40ìgm-3). This area will shortly have a Streetbox Gold to join the two sets of tubes already in situ, for a more detailed analysis. Depending on the results interpreted from the 2009 USA Report a Detailed Assessment (DA) may be required for this site in 2010. The DA may then conclude that an AQMA is required.
- The NO2 levels on Bay Road have risen slightly in 2007. This may be due to the Met Office development over the past year. Tubes will remain in situ to monitor the effect of the potentially greater volume of traffic from this new development.
- Even though the NO2 levels along Broad Lane are low, the diffusion tubes will remain in situ until the large “Parks” development has been completed and all the residents have moved in. This should allow us to monitor any NO2 increases and take aversive action with other departments if necessary.
- This year there were only two exceedances of the 40 ugm-3 AQO at BFBC monitoring locations. Both of these were at roadside and not areas where members of the public are likely to be exposed over the averaging period of the objective (DEFRA 2003). These two areas are discussed in full in the 2008 Detailed Assessment.
The Detailed Assessment concludes:
- It can be determined that from Bracknell Forest Borough Council's 2007 investigation and the predicted modelled outcomes, the areas in question (Downshire Way, Bagshot Road or the 3M Roundabout) do not currently require an Air Quality Management Area as the 2010 objectives will be met.
- The DMRB modelling has shown that the NO2 decreases exponentially from the road source and that all locations, even with increased traffic travelling at slow congestion speeds, will not exceed the 2010 AQO.
- The NETCEN Year Adjustment Calculator (v2.2a) predicted that the NO2 levels for the roads being analysed would be below the 2010 AQO.
 |
Listen |  |
Feedback |  |
Downloads
Air Quality Progress Report 2008 (1109kb)- Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2008 (2985kb)
- Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment (1635kb)
- Air Quality Progress Report 2007 (868kb)
- Air Quality Progress Report 2005 (3165kb)
- Air Quality Progress Report 2004 (4226kb)
