Colchester Council pollution hotspots cut due to improvement

In 2012, four Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) were put in place across the city in areas where pollution was exceeding national guidelines.

St Andrew’s Avenue and Harwich Road had its 'management area' lifted in 2018.

It has been revealed two further AQMAs, in East Street and Ipswich Road, and Lucy Lane North, Stanway can now be lifted due to improved air quality.

The remaining AQMA can be reduced to only non-compliant areas, which are Brook Street, Osborne Street, St Johns Street, and Mersea Road.

Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, Colchester Council's portfolio holder for planning, environment and sustainability, said the news was "very encouraging".

In the 2023 air quality report from Colchester Council, comparing data from 2018 through to 2022, there are clear improvements across Colchester.

In East Street levels of nitrogen dioxide decreased from 41.3 µg/m3 in 2018 to 29 µg/m3 in 2022. 

It is now below the Government annual limit of 40 µg/m3.

But it remains above the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of nitrogen dioxide at 10μg/m3.

Congestion: traffic in Ipswich Road (Image: NQ)

In Ipswich Road the 2018 figure showed 34.7 µg/m3 compared to 22.7 µg/m3 in 2022.

Osborne Street remains the least compliant with a 36.2µg/m3 reading in 2022. 

Brook Street had a reading of 36µg/m3 while St John's Street had a reading of 30.7µg/m3 in 2022.

In 2021, Government data showed Colchester as being one of the top 100 most polluted places in the UK. 

Colchester City Council said it recognises “the crucial role of air quality in the health and well-being of its residents”.

Beyond implementing its own action plan, it has developed and supported various projects and initiatives for local air quality improvement.

Works to cut pollution have included funding for a fleet of electric cargo bikes, retrofit ten commercial buses with pollution-reducing technology and stopping idling at known pollution hotspots. 

Campaigner: councillor Andrea Luxford-Vaughan (Image: Andrea Luxford-Vaughan)

Andrea Luxford-Vaughan, portfolio holder for planning, environment and sustainability, said: “Nearly one in five deaths in Colchester are linked in some way to air quality causing respiratory problems such as lung disease.

“We want to ensure our residents can live healthy lives, and the significant reduction in the number of AQMAs is very encouraging.

“This latest report demonstrates our commitment to tackling poor air quality. Addressing the climate emergency and promoting sustainability through air quality improvements are strategic priorities for the council.

“Improved air quality has numerous health benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. That is why we are committed to continuing our efforts and exploring new ways to combat air pollution.”

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, pledging to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

A climate emergency action plan was developed in 2020, outlining key actions for sustainability and carbon emission reduction through services and partnerships.