Environmental Development 2013 Air Quality Progress Report

Transcription

1 Environmental Development 2013 Air Quality Progress Report In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management May 2013

2 Local Authority Officer Roger Pitman Department Environmental Development Address St Aldate s Chambers, 109 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DS Telephone rpitman@oxford.gov.uk Report Reference number Date May 2013

3 Executive Summary This report is to fulfil the requirements under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to provide an Annual Progress Report on Local Air Quality Management in Oxford in The report provides an update on the annual progress report made in 2011, and the Updating and Screening Assessment Report in A single Air Quality Management Area was declared in Oxford during 2010, and pollution monitoring shows the increased levels noted during the previous two years have not been maintained at all monitoring sites. The majority of diffusion tube sites show small reductions, whilst the levels at the two city centre continuous monitoring sites show increases. A detailed assessment is not required for any pollutant. The findings of the report support the previous report s conclusions in relation to the failure to meet the air quality objectives for Nitrogen Dioxide at locations across Oxford. The monitoring carried out over the previous year provides evidence of continued exceedence of both the annual mean and hourly mean objectives. An assessment has been made of the measures that have been introduced in Oxford during recent years, notably the changes to bus operations resulting from measures introduced under the Transform Oxford programme. Bus stops have been removed from Queen Street, and bus numbers in central Oxford have been reduced as a result of cross-operator ticketing. The reduction in bus numbers resulting from the implementation of the Transform Oxford Queen Street measures in 2009 had a substantial effect on the emissions of pollutants from buses in the city centre. The estimated total emissions from buses in the city centre decreased by 29%. 35%, 20% and 27% for oxides of nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, PM10 and carbon dioxide respectively. The bus fleet was steadily updated between 2009 and 2011 with the replacement of some Euro II and Euro III buses with Euro IV, Euro V and Euro V hybrid buses. The estimated total emissions from buses in the city centre decreased by 14% for oxides of nitrogen and 23% for PM10. Carbon dioxide emissions were estimated to increase by 9% over the period. Measures to implement the central Oxford Low Emission Zone have been introduced, in advance of the LEZ being operational from The aim of the LEZ is to promote the uptake of cleaner greener buses and coaches and leading to reduced pollution emissions, and improvements in local air quality. Current government policy highlights that an integrated approach to dealing with air quality issues, integrated with climate change solutions is now a priority for delivering the most effective solutions. To this end, we have developed:- LAQM Progress Report

4 A Low Emission Zone (LEZ), based upon promoting cleaner greener buses, currently under implementation, that will be in operation from A Low Emission Strategy (LES), The LES links to the Council s Sustainability Strategy. Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), with recommendations for revised air quality targets alongside a carbon reduction target for transport. Despite the introduction of a range of measures, air quality has not improved as predicted. We continue to recognise that a wide range of measures across many sectors are required in order to develop effective programmes for emissions reductions from all sources. The assessments that have taken place to consider the combined impacts of recent measures to reduce transport emissions highlight the complexity of the emissions picture within a congested city such as Oxford. The introduction of the city-wide AQMA emphasises we need to consider all sources that can impact on local air quality. The City Council have developed a sustainable policy framework that now links measures to address air quality issues with wider consideration of measures to limit all polluting emissions to air, also impacting on climate, within a Low Emission Strategy. It is only by considering the impact of all programmes to manage emissions city-wide, that will enable us to prioritise and highlight effective measures across a wide policy framework. The latest Air Quality Action Plan, promotes a carbon reduction target for all transport in addition to a revised target for air quality, continuing to highlight the interdependency of policies to improve local air quality and policies to limit climate change. The emphasis within local air quality management in Oxford, continues to focus on developing sustainable transport measures, particularly the promotion of low carbon transport and providing alternatives to the use of private vehicles, particularly within central areas of the city. Further work is needed in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Council, in developing local partnerships to provide integrated solutions to limit emissions impacting on air pollution and climate change. LAQM Progress Report

5 Table of Contents 1 Introduction Description of Local Authority Area Purpose of Progress Report Air Quality Objectives Summary of Previous Review and Assessments Summary of Monitoring Undertaken Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 20 2 New Local Developments Road Traffic Sources Other Transport Sources Industrial Sources Commercial and Domestic Sources New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 30 3 Local / Regional Air Quality Strategy 31 4 Planning Applications 32 5 Air Quality Planning Policies 33 6 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 38 7 Climate Change Strategies 42 8 Implementation of Action Plans 47 9 Conclusions and Proposed Actions Conclusions from New Monitoring Data Conclusions relating to New Local Developments Other Conclusions Proposed Actions References 54 Appendices Appendix 1: QA/QC and Data validation LAQM Progress Report

6 List of Tables Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives Table 1.2 Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment Table 1.3 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 1.4 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 1.5 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 1.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with Hourly Mean Objective Table 1.7 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes Table 1.8 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 1.9 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective Table 1.10 Results of Benzene Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 1.11 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Ozone: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 4.1 Planning applications for new developments Table 6.1 Key elements of 2006 AQAP Table 9.1 Action Plan Progress List of Figures Figure 1 Central Oxfordshire Sub-Region Figure 2 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire Figure 3 City-wide AQMA showing AQ hotspots Figure 4 Location Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites Figure 5 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary Figure 6 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 ( ) LAQM Progress Report

7 1 Introduction The report is to fulfil the requirement by Oxford City Council to provide regular updates on the status of local air quality management (LAQM) and progress being made to achieve the statutory air quality objectives. The LAQM process forms a key part of the Government s Air Quality Strategy to achieve the air quality objectives prescribed in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007, and detailed within the National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) This report is an annual progress report for 2013, and follows the Updating and Screening Assessment Report for The format of the report follows the recommendations made within the policy and technical guidance issued by the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in documents LAQM PG(09), and TG(09). 1.1 Description of Local Authority Area Oxford is the administrative centre of Oxfordshire, with a resident population of 153,700 (2010). It is a University City, as well as a commercial, business and shopping centre and has a daytime population of 180,000 with a large transient population, including an estimated 31,000 full-time students. Approximately 7.6 million people visit the City every year. It covers an area of 17.6 square miles. Its location in relation to the other Local Authorities and the administrative boundary of Oxford are shown below. Oxford is centrally located within England, with easy access to international airports, the railway network, and the M40 motorway. Oxford is a compact city with a unique and world-renowned built heritage. The city is a densely packed urban space - covering 46 sq km (29 sq miles) - with very high levels of housing density. It lies on the Thames River, about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of London, and is considered as a development and transport hub within the region. Figure 1 Central Oxfordshire Sub-Region LAQM Progress Report

8 Oxford plays a central role in the economy of Oxfordshire. The city has a world-class reputation in the education (Universities), healthcare (Hospitals) sectors, offering a base for other major employers involved in car manufacturing; printing and publishing. The city is home to around 3,400 businesses and in total, including the self-employed, there are around 120,000 jobs in Oxford, which provides more jobs than the working age population of 109,000. The job density in Oxford being more than 1 job per person at a ratio of 1.08, compared to 0.80 for the South-East and 0.78 for Great Britain. Oxford makes a significant contribution to the national and regional economy. In 2005 it was estimated that the City contributed 4.1 billion p.a to the economic output of the nation. The over-arching strategy for the city has been to strengthen and diversify Oxford s economy and provide a range of job opportunities across the city. The long term vision is to promote Oxford as a centre of excellence for higher education, health services, medical and scientific research. About half of Oxford s workforce live outside the city, which does mean there is a high level of in-commuting and highlights the importance of transport links into the City. In 2001, around 40,000 people travelled into the city for work, and 15,000 Oxford residents commuted out of the city. Almost a third of all jobs in Oxford are in the public sector, such as health, social care, education and local government; whilst another one-fifth of jobs are in the two Universities. Taken together the Universities and public sector jobs account for half of Oxford s jobs (by comparison across the UK these sectors only account for one quarter of all jobs). Key private sector industries include publishing & IT, manufacturing, retail, hotels and restaurants. In comparison to other UK cities Oxford has a uniquely poor level of housing affordability. Oxford has the second highest average house price of any UK city behind London but average wages are similar to those paid in Swindon and Milton Keynes where house prices are much lower. This creates a barrier to attracting people to live and work in the city. Approximately 9.3 million people visit the City every year. It covers an area of 17.6 square miles. Its location in relation to the other Local Authorities and the administrative boundary of Oxford are shown below. Oxfordshire is the most rural county in the south east, with over half its population living in rural communities. LAQM Progress Report

9 Figure 2 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire Oxford City Council is the central Local Authority District within Oxfordshire, a centre of significant change, and a growth point. Oxford s employment strategy promotes a policy of managed economic growth, which seeks to secure the long-term future of its key sectors, whilst taking account of land supply constraints, and the need to improve the balance between jobs and housing supply. In Oxford s context, managed growth means growth that is appropriately located in Oxford to take advantage of the city s existing strengths, e.g. spin-out companies related to the universities, hospitals and medical/scientific research, rather than growth that could be located in any UK city. There are three strategic locations with future potential for significant growth in Oxford. This includes the allocation of one strategic employment site at the Northern Gateway (North), and the protection and modernisation of Oxford s key employment sites. The West End Area (City centre) will provide some employment growth together with some residential development. The Land at Barton (North-East) will be developed principally for residential use ( dwellings). Oxford s policy approach therefore seeks to positively plan for the future economic and housing growth needs of the city in a context of constrained land availability and the need to protect the historic environment and contribute to sustainable development. The spatial strategy relies on a hierarchy of centres which directs major to these centres which are accessible and well served by public transport and promotes sustainable travel. LAQM Progress Report

10 Crown Copyright OXFORD CITY COUNCIL LA Figure 3 City-wide AQMA showing AQ hotspots The centre of Oxford has been declared as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) since 2001, with modifications in An Air Quality Action Plan was jointly developed with Oxfordshire County Council, and integrated with the Local Transport Plan in Pollution levels in Oxford have fallen into broad trends: Increases during the period from 2000 to 2006; Reductions in the three years following 2006, with some increases in the last two to three years (See Figure 2.3). The requirement for a city-wide action plan has been identified within the current Local Transport Plan The LTP for Oxford prioritises reducing congestion, developing and increasing the use of high quality welcoming public transport, and to develop and increase cycling and walking for local journeys, recreation and health. A City-wide AQMA has been declared in 2010 following the identification of a total of eight air pollution hot spots within the 2008 Detailed Assessment Report, as shown above. A new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) is currently under development, which aims to take an integrated approach to considering measures to reduce carbon and all pollution emissions. This reflects the approach adopted within the city-wide Low Emission Strategy to consider further options for integrating local policies. This strategy highlights the links between policies that impact across all sectors with particular emphasis on considering the combined impacts of policies on all emissions (i.e greenhouse gas, carbon, and air pollution). The new AQAP includes an ambition to develop a low carbon plan for transport, alongside renewing targets for reducing emissions from transport sources in the city. LAQM Progress Report

11 The Air Quality problems encountered in Oxford are focussed on the impacts of transport generated air pollution, typically in local centres, the city centre, and some of the busiest junctions, mostly roundabouts with the ring-road on the edge of the city. Previous Local Air Quality Management Reports have documented the areas of poor air quality within the city. The extent of poor air quality is generally restricted to within 20 metres of the roadside. Emissions in the City-centre are significantly influenced by buses and coaches, comprising more than 60% of the total traffic emissions. The Oxford Low Emission Zone (LEZ), is now in force by conditions imposing a Euro V emission standard on buses operating in central Oxford. The Traffic Regulation Order that imposes the condition on the bus operator s licence, became law in March 2013, with the implementation of the condition from Purpose of Progress Report This report represents the second stage within Round 5 of the Review and Assessment process, each round comprising a three year cycle involving an Updating and Screening Assessment (USA), followed by a Detailed Assessment when required, and Progress reports in the intervening years. Round 5 Assessments began in 2012 with a USA report (USA2012), all previous reports have been submitted and approved by DEFRA and are available on the City Council website:- The first reports in Oxford under the LAQM process were produced in 1999, and began a process of highlighting the significance of the impact of traffic pollution on local air quality. The air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide, both annual mean and hourly mean have been identified as being exceeded in areas dominated by traffic. This has now resulted in the declaration of a city-wide air quality management area (AQMA), being declared in 2010 as described above. The purpose of the progress report is to consider the following:- New Monitoring Results Show monitoring site types and locations Provide an annual update based upon the latest results of air quality monitoring for the pollutants regulated within the national air quality strategy Highlighting results for any new monitoring sites, provide summary data to highlight annual trends New local developments Identify and list new developments that may affect air quality, particularly those developments that may have an impact on air quality through traffic generation Further reporting in relation to:- LAQM Progress Report

12 Additional monitoring data Projecting forward measured concentrations to objective target dates Results of other air pollution monitoring, not covered by the regulations Air Quality Action Plans Progress on measures identified within the action plan Local or Regional Air Quality Strategies Developments in Local or Regional Air Quality Strategies Planning Policy Updates in Planning Policy Local Development Framework (LDF) Supplementary Planning Guidance Planning Applications List of applications with the potential to affect air quality Knowledge of planned major developments Local Transport Plans Progress on all measures identified within LTP s that will improve air quality LAQM Progress Report

13 1.3 Air Quality Objectives Oxford City Council The air quality objectives applicable to LAQM in England are set out in the Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (SI 928), The Air Quality (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 3043), and are shown in Table 1.1. This table shows the objectives in units of microgrammes per cubic metre µg/m 3 (milligrammes per cubic metre, mg/m 3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are permitted (where applicable). Table 1.1 LAQM in England Pollutant Benzene Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of Air Quality Objective Concentration Measured as µg/m 3 Running annual mean Date to be achieved by µg/m 3 Annual mean ,3-Butadiene 2.25 µg/m 3 Running annual mean Carbon monoxide 10 mg/m 3 Running 8-hour mean Lead Nitrogen dioxide Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) (gravimetric) Sulphur dioxide µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a 1-hour mean year 40 µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a 24-hour mean year 40 µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year 125 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year 266 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 1-hour mean hour mean minute mean LAQM Progress Report

14 1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments A summary of the results of the previous rounds of review and assessment of air quality in Oxford are shown in table 1 below. Table 1.2 Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment ROUND 1 Review and Assessment Review Process Objectives likely to be met Objectives not likely to be met Comments Stage 1 and Stage 2 January Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead. Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Sulphur Dioxide. Main emission source is road traffic for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Possibility of short-term exceedences of 15 min SO 2 objective due to Didcot Power Station. Further review of SO 2 emissions from small boilers Stage 3 required for NO 2. Stage 3 January Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide, PM 10 Particulate Matter. Nitrogen Dioxide. Recommended declaration of AQMA for the city centre based upon exceedence of annual NO 2 objective, mainly due to road traffic emissions. PM 10 Particulate Matter and SO 2 examined at this stage. Not considered necessary to proceed further. Stage 4 July Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide, PM 10 Particulate Matter. Nitrogen Dioxide. Confirmation of existing AQMA, with some geographical additions. Highlights the impact of streets with high proportion of buses and HGVs, and the significance of bus stops and congested traffic in the central area. LAQM Progress Report

15 Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment ROUND 2 Review and Assessment Review Process Objectives likely to be met Objectives not likely to be met Comments Updating and Screening Assessment Report November Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide. Nitrogen Dioxide, PM 10 Particulate Matter. Concluded that a detailed assessment was required for nitrogen dioxide outside the AQMA, and for PM 10 particulate matter inside the AQMA. Detailed Assessment Report June Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide. Nitrogen Dioxide, PM 10 Particulate Matter. Recommended declaration of AQMA for Green Road roundabout based upon exceedence of annual NO 2 objective. Further assessment required at other locations. Some exceedence of hourly mean NO 2 objective in AQMA. Further review for PM 10 Particulate Matter objective for Progress Report 2005 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter (2004 objectives) Nitrogen Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter (2010 objectives) Nitrogen Dioxide hourly objective met. Annual mean objective exceeded at Green Road Roundabout, new AQMA declared. Further assessments when updated traffic data available. Further monitoring in AQMA to assess compliance with annual PM 10 objective for 2010 ROUND 3 Review and Assessment Updating and Screening Assessment Report April 2006 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter Nitrogen Dioxide Detailed Assessment required for annual and hourly mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide, at locations identified within the report. Consider Detailed Assessment at a later stage for 2010 annual mean PM 10 objective. Detailed Assessment Report April 2007 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide Further Assessment required for annual mean objective at locations identified within the report, including re-defining existing AQMA s. Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter Progress Report and Detailed Assessment May 2008 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter Nitrogen Dioxide Amendments to existing AQMA s in Central Oxford and Green Road roundabout. New AQMA s at six further locations as defined in the report for exceedences of annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide. LAQM Progress Report

16 Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment ROUND 4 Review and Assessment Review Process Objectives likely to be met Objectives not likely to be met Comments Updating and Screening Assessment Report 2009 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter Nitrogen Dioxide Upheld conclusions of 2008 Detailed Assessment. Council to declare a Citywide AQMA to encompass all the AQ hotspots. Continued exceedence of the annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide, at locations identified within the report. Progress Report 2010 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter Nitrogen Dioxide Trends in monitoring data highlight general reductions in concentrations across the city, with a few increases. No evidence of further hot-spots identified from new monitoring sites. City wide AQMA will require air quality assessments of future major developments. Progress Report 2011 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide Recent trends highlight increases in pollution concentrations, highlighting the impact of two extreme winters and changes to bus priority routes. Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter ROUND 5 Review and Assessment Review Process Objectives likely to be met Objectives not likely to be met Comments Updating and Screening Assessment Report 2012 Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Nitrogen Dioxide Shows trends of increasing NO2 since 2009, in central Oxford Sulphur Dioxide PM 10 Particulate Matter LAQM Progress Report

17 New Monitoring Data 1.5 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 1.3 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref St Aldate s* AUN High Street St Ebbe s** AUN Urban Centre Urban Centre Urban Background X Y X Y X Y Pollutants Monitored In AQMA? Relevant Exposure? (Y/N with distance (m) to relevant exposure) Distance to kerb of nearest road (N/A if not applicable) * Oxford St Aldate s Automated Urban Network (SO 2, CO discontinued at Oxford St Aldate s from 2007) **St Ebbe s Affiliated site to Automated Urban Network (FDMS PM 10 and PM 2.5 added in December 2008) Worstcase Location? NO 2 Y Y (1m) 3m Y NO 2 PM 10 NO 2 PM 2.5 PM 10 Ozone Y Y (1m) 2m Y N Y (10m) 4m N Figure 4 Location Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites Crown Copyright OXFORD CITY COUNCIL LA LAQM Progress Report

18 1.5.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring The following sites comprise locations where diffusion tube measurements were conducted during Table 1.4 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref Pollutants Monitored In AQMA? Relevant Exposure? (Y/N with distance (m) to relevant exposure) Distance to kerb of nearest road (N/A if not applicable) THAMES ST K NO 2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y THAMES/TRINITY ST R NO 2 Y Y ~20m N THAMES/OXPENS K NO 2 Y N ~1m Y PIKE TERR UB NO 2 Y Y ~29m Y SPEEDWELL/LITTLEGATE R NO 2 Y Y ~2m Y BUTTERWYKE / THAMES R NO 2 Y Y (5m) ~2m Y SPEEDWELL STREET(Floyd s Row) R NO 2 Y Y (1m) ~3m Y HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LN K NO 2 Y Y (2m) ~2m Y BECKETT ST/PK END ST R NO 2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel K NO 2 Y Y ~2.5m Y FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath R NO 2 Y Y (<1m) ~8m Y BOTLEY ROAD R NO 2 Y Y (2m) ~4m Y BOTLEY RD (N) (Opp Duke St) R NO 2 Y Y (3m) ~3.5m Y BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD R NO 2 Y Y ~2m Y BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD R NO 2 Y Y (<1m) ~2m Y HYTHE BRIDGE ST R NO 2 Y Y ~4m Y PARK END ST K NO 2 Y Y(2m) ~3m Y NEW RD R NO 2 Y Y(2m) ~3.5m Y Worstcase Location? LAQM Progress Report

19 Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref Pollutants Monitored In AQMA? Relevant Exposure? (Y/N with distance (m) to relevant exposure) Distance to kerb of nearest road (N/A if not applicable) WORCESTER ST R NO 2 Y Y(2m) ~2m Y GEORGE ST K NO 2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y GEORGE ST/MAGDALEN ST K NO 2 Y Y(2m) <1m Y BEAUMONT ST K NO 2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y ST GILES ASHMOLEAN R NO 2 Y Y (2m) ~3m Y KEBLE RD R NO 2 Y N (5m) ~8.5m N UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS RD K NO 2 Y N ~1m Y LONGWALL ST K NO 2 Y Y (1m) ~1m Y HIGH ST K NO 2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y HIGH(rpm) R NO 2 Y Y ~2.5m Y 50 HIGH STREET R NO 2 Y Y ~2.5m Y CORNMARKET ST R NO 2 Y Y N/A Y ST ALDATE S K NO 2 Y Y ~2m Y QUEEN ST K NO 2 Y Y N/A Y BONN SQ K NO 2 Y Y ~3m Y BROAD ST K NO 2 Y Y ~1m Y YORK PLACE R NO 2 Y N (3m) ~10m N ST CLEMENT S K NO 2 Y Y ~2m Y SUMMERTOWN PARADE R NO 2 Y Y ~4m Y Worst-case Location? LAQM Progress Report

20 Distance Relevant to Site Name Exposure? kerb of Site Pollutants In OS Grid Ref (Y/N with nearest Worst-case Type Monitored AQMA? distance (m) to road Location? relevant (N/A if not exposure) applicable ) BEECHCROFT ROAD R NO 2 Y Y ~2m N THORNCLIFFE ROAD R NO 2 Y Y ~2m N WOODSTOCK RD (Flats at Rbt) R NO 2 Y Y ~5m Y SUNDERLAND AVE R NO 2 Y Y ~10m Y SUMMERS PLACE R NO 2 Y Y ~8m Y ELSFIELD RD R NO 2 Y Y ~8m Y LP 67 GREEN RD R NO 2 Y N ~5m ~2m Y ROUNDWAY PRECINCT R NO 2 Y Y ~5m Y 29 GREEN ROAD R NO 2 Y Y ~8.5m Y LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS B NO 2 Y Y N/A N ST EBBE S First School B NO 2 Y Y ~3m N LAQM Progress Report

21 Figure 5 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary LAQM Progress Report

22 1.6 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives Nitrogen Dioxide Results Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be Concentration Measured as achieved by Nitrogen dioxide 200 µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year 40 µg/m 3 1-hour mean Annual mean Automatic Monitoring Data Table 1.5 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3) MONITORING SITE Oxford Centre (Roadside) Oxford St Ebbe's (Urban background) Oxford High St (Roadside) Within AQMA? Relevant Public Exposure? YEAR Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Data Capture Annual Mean NO 2 g/m Hourly Mean NO 2 g/m 3 No HRS > Max Hour LAQM Progress Report

23 Figure 6 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites. The chart below highlights the trends in annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations between 2005 and 2012 as measured at the continuous monitoring sites in Oxford. Table 1.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective Site ID Location Within AQMA? Rel Public Exposure? Y/N Data Capture for full calendar year 2012 b % Number of Exceedences of hourly mean (200 g/m 3 ) (Where the period of valid data is less than 90% of a full year, the 99.8 th percentile of hourly means is shown in brackets.) Oxford Centre Y Y Oxford High St Y Y 98 0(147) Oxford St Ebbe s Y Y 83 0 (86) LAQM Progress Report

24 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data Oxford City Council The following sites comprise locations where diffusion tube measurements were conducted during Sampling is carried out for 10 months/year from February to November. Results are presented as microgrammes per cubic metre of nitrogen dioxide, comparable to the annual mean objective value of 40 µg/m 3. Sites are highlighted in terms of whether the annual mean of 40 µg/m 3 or indicative hourly mean of 60 µg/m 3 are exceeded. Table 1.7 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes Location In AQMA? Rel Public Exposure? Data Capture for 2012 % Annual Mean Concentrations (ug/m 3 ) THAMES ST Y Y THAMES/TRINITY ST Y Y THAMES/OXPENS Y Y PIKE TERR Y Y ** SPEEDWELL/ LITTLEGATE BUTTERWYKE / THAMES *FLOYD'S ROW/SPEEDWELL ST HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LN BECKETT ST/PK END ST FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath Y Y Y Y Y Y 100 Y 100 Y 80 Y 90 Y ** ** Y Y Y Y BOTLEY ROAD Y Y BOTLEY ROAD (N) Y Y BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD Y Y Y Y HYTHE BRIDGE ST Y Y ** PARK END ST Y Y ** NEW RD Y Y ** WORCESTER ST Y Y GEORGE ST Y Y GEORGE ST/MAG ST Y Y LAQM Progress Report

25 BEAUMONT ST Y Y ST GILES ASHMOLEAN Y LAQM Progress Report 2013 Y KEBLE RD Y Y ** UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS RD Y Y HIGH ST Y Y ** HIGH(Covered Market) Y Y 90 47** HIGH STREET Y Y CORNMARKET ST Y Y ** ST ALDATE s Y Y *QUEEN ST Y Y ** *BONN SQ Y Y ** BROAD St Y Y LONGWALL ST Y Y YORK PLACE Y Y ST CLEMENTS Y Y SUMMERTOWN Parade Y Y BEECHCROFT Rd Y Y THORNCLIFFE Rd Y Y WOODSTOCK RD (Flats at Roundabout) SUNDERLAND AVE (No. 78) Y Y Y Y SUMMERS PLACE Y Y ELSFIELD Road Y Y LP 67 GREEN RD Y Y ROUNDWAY PRECINCT Y Y GREEN ROAD Y Y LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS Y Y St EBBE s First School Y Y (# Bias Correction applied 2010:1.08; 2011:1.18; 2012:1.07) (* SITES INDICATED BY AN ASTERISK DENOTE SOME CHANGE TO POSITION) Oxford City Council (**Where No s recorded results <9; annualised factor applied based on previous years results for site, where previous results exist) Shaded cells indicate exceedence of the 40 µg/m 3 annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide Darkly shaded cells indicate an exceedence of the 60 µg/m 3 indicative of an exceedence of the hourly mean, as well as the annual mean of 40 µg/m 3 23

26 Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites The chart above highlights trends by groups of results representing as follows:- R/S AQMA Roadside results in central Oxford AQMA These results show a 13% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period Bus Priority- Roadside results on streets within the bus priority route These results show a 14% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period AUN Central Oxford site for AUN station in St Aldate s, within AQMA and Bus Priority These results show a 4% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period St Ebbe s- Urban background site, close to central area These results show a 5% reduction in background air pollution levels over a 10 year period LAQM Progress Report

27 1.6.2 Particulate Matter Monitoring Results Oxford City Council Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be Concentration Measured as achieved by Particles (PM 10 ) (gravimetric) Particles (PM 2.5 ) Exposure reduction 50 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 40 µg/m 3 25 µg/m 3 Target of 15% reduction at urban background 24-hour mean Annual mean Annual mean Table 1.8 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Location Oxford High Street LAQM Progress Report 2013 Within AQMA? Data Capture for full calendar year 2012 % *PM10 Annual mean concentrations (g/m3) Y Oxford St Ebbe s N Location Within AQMA? Data Capture for full calendar year 2012 % ~PM2.5 Annual mean concentrations (g/m3) Oxford St Ebbe s N 82 n/a PM 10 measurements up to January 2009 were made with R&P TEOM and results for this period have been corrected by a factor of 1.3 for Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent PM 10 Measurements from January 2009 were made with R&P FDMS TEOM with no correction [*PM 10 Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent (TEOM measurement x 1.3)] [~ PM 25 instruments: FDMS (no correction)] N/A Indicate results not yet available The High Street site is representative of relevant public exposure on footpaths in central Oxford that are adjacent to main traffic routes through the city centre. The St Ebbe s site is representative of relevant public exposure in locations away from main traffic routes in central Oxford, highlighting the range of exposures evident within the central area. For the 2004 objectives: The annual mean concentrations are less than 40 µg/m 3, There are less than 35, 24-hour exceedences of 50 µg/m 3 25

28 Table 1.9 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective Location Within AQMA? Data Capture 2012 % Number of Exceedences of daily mean objective (50 g/m 3 ) High Street Y St Ebbe s Y Both the Oxford High Street Site and the Oxford St Ebbe s School Sites meet the requirements of the annual mean objective and the daily mean objectives for particulate matter. PM 10 as measured by an FDMS TEOM (no correction) - TEOM with a factor of 1.3 allied to give Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent concentrations from 01 January 2009 to 26 January 2009 Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean PM 10 ( ) LAQM Progress Report

29 1.6.3 Benzene Monitoring Results Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as Benzene µg/m 3 Running annual mean 5.00 µg/m 3 Running annual mean Table 1.10 Results of Benzene Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Annual mean concentrations (g/m 3 ) Oxford Centre Oxford St Ebbe's n/a The running annual means are significantly less than µg/m 3 There are no running annual means greater than 5.00 µg/m 3 The High Street site is representative of relevant public exposure on footpaths in central Oxford that are adjacent to main traffic routes through the city centre. The St Ebbe s site is representative of relevant public exposure in locations away from main traffic routes in central Oxford, highlighting the range of exposures evident within the central area. There are no exceedences of either objective for benzene LAQM Progress Report

30 1.6.4 Other Monitoring Results : Ozone Pollutant Ozone* Standard Measured as Concentration 100g/m 3 daily maximum of running 8-hour mean Specific objective to be achieved UK AQ objective: not to be exceeded more than 10 times a year by 31/12/05 EU Directive Target of 120μg.m -3 not to be exceeded more than 25 times a year averaged over 3 years *Ozone does not have an objective set within the UK Air Quality Regulations; it is considered as a national objective but not included in Regulations for the purposes of Local Air Quality Management. Thus it is treated as a national problem and does not fall within local authority controls. The results below highlight that the UK AQ objective for ozone, expressed as 100g/m 3 daily maximum of running 8-hour mean is not met. 37 exceedences of this standard were recorded during 2011, where the standard permits 10 exceedences during a year. Table 1.11 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Ozone: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3) MONITORING SITE Oxford St Ebbe s (Urban background) YEAR OZONE g/m 3 running 8-hour mean Running 8-hour mean > 100 µg m -3 Max Mean No. exceedences No. Days Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives Oxford City Council has examined the results from monitoring in the Oxford District. Monitoring results continue to highlight exceedences of the hourly and annual mean objectives for nitrogen dioxide, particularly in central Oxford and at busy traffic junctions. The boundary of the AQMA now corresponds to the City boundary, therefore there is no need to proceed to a Detailed Assessment. This conclusion takes into account the declaration of a City-wide Air Quality Management Area, as described in the introduction LAQM Progress Report

31 2 New Local Developments 2.1 Road Traffic Sources Roads with significantly changed traffic flows: Roads reported under the 2011 Progress Report were:- There are no developments during 2010 that have significantly affected traffic flows. There are no developments in that have significantly affected traffic flows. 2.2 Other Transport Sources The Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 Project outlined within the previous Progress Report has been subject to a Public Inquiry from November 2010-January The result of the public inquiry is expected later this year. The Public Inquiry was re-opened in 2012, and the Transport and Works Order enabling the project to go ahead has been approved by the Transport Minister in October The new line and rail services are not expected to be in operation before 2015, the project has been subject to Environmental Impact Assessment, highlighting that it is not expected to result in significant impacts on air quality. 2.3 Industrial Sources Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified industrial sources which may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area. 2.4 Commercial and Domestic Sources Biomass combustion plant: Installed:- British Gas, Oxford Business Park, 3 x 100kW Froling Biomass Boilers Planned: Unipart, Garsington Road, Oxford. 1200kWh Binder Biomass Boiler LAQM Progress Report

32 2.5 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified local developments which may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area. LAQM Progress Report

33 3 Local / Regional Air Quality Strategy Air Quality is now considered as one of a number of key strategies and action plans that are key elements of an in integrated approach to environmental and sustainability issues across the city. Oxford City Council has developed an overarching sustainability strategy, setting out a long term framework to address goals including improved health, better social cohesion and economic prosperity. This strategy brings together all the Council s existing policies relating to sustainability, setting out a longer term framework to address these issues. This provides a basis for linking to the Council s corporate objectives relating to sustainability and community wide sustainability objectives as set out within the Low Carbon Oxford Strategy. The Sustainability Strategy will act as an overarching document setting out the Councils overall sustainability targets. These will be delivered principally through a series of strategies and related action plans which in turn relate to individual issues. The intention is that these will ultimately include as a minimum: Climate Change Air Quality Waste Water Quality Biodiversity Land Quality The City Council s Corporate Plan and the Oxford Sustainable Communities Strategy set targets addressing sustainability issues and are key priorities for the City Council. LAQM Progress Report

34 4 Planning Applications The following details relate to developments that have been subject to a Planning Application, where it considered that an impact on air quality is likely. Planning Application (Approved?) Westgate Centre (Not approved) Air Quality Assessment? Significant impact on Air Quality? Scheme Implemented Yes Yes No. Resubmission expected May/June 2013 Chiltern Railways Yes No No. Project given go-ahead following Public Inquiry These developments were reported in the previous Progress Report, and have not yet been implemented, as highlighted in the table above. Table 4.1 Planning applications for new developments which have not yet been approved but which could impact upon air quality are listed below Site details Planning Application Significant impact on Air Quality? Barton Housing Expected end April AQ assessment shows Development 1, main risk is dust during houses construction. Scheme Implementation The Council s air quality planning policies documented below highlight how developments taking place in the city are discouraged from the use of private motor vehicles. LAQM Progress Report

35 5 Air Quality Planning Policies Oxford Core Strategy 2026 (Adopted March 2011) The Core Strategy includes policies to tackle climate change, which have a knock-on benefit for air quality. The Core Strategy also includes policies to reduce the need to travel, particularly by private car, and to mitigate traffic congestion, which have a clear direct benefit for local air quality. Policy CS14 commits the Council to develop a Low Emissions Strategy to directly deal with air quality. SPATIAL STRATEGY The Spatial Strategy for Oxford sets out the long-term planning framework for the city, and focuses on particular areas that are of strategic importance to the future growth and development of Oxford. It deals with the key objectives of balancing Oxford s housing and employment needs; reducing carbon emissions by locating development to reduce the need to travel; and maximising the use of previously developed land. It also seeks to integrate new strategic areas of growth with existing communities and facilitate the regeneration of deprived areas. Reducing the need to travel A strategic objective of the spatial strategy is to ensure that new developments are in accessible locations so as to minimise overall travel demand. This objective forms the first key plank of the spatial strategy. It is important to recognise that Oxford as a whole is a relatively accessible location, as evidenced by some of the statistics from the 2001 census summarised in the spatial portrait. However, the city and district centres have the greatest number of shops and services, and the best non-car accessibility. The key to reducing the need to travel within Oxford is therefore to apply a sequential approach to developments that attract a large number of people, whilst taking account of the opportunities and constraints faced by each centre. The spatial strategy sets out the proposed hierarchy of centres in Oxford, starting with Oxford City centre; then the Cowley centre primary district centre; then the district LAQM Progress Report

36 centres of Blackbird Leys, Cowley Road, Headington and Summertown, then neighbourhood centres. A brief contextual analysis is given for each of the city and district centres. Climate change is an urgent and pressing issue at a global, national, regional and local level. One of the most important ways of reducing carbon emissions is to reduce the need to travel, particularly by private car, and to encourage more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, buses and trains. Development should be located in areas close to existing facilities and shops, and to transport hubs and bus routes. The sequential approach to locating development establishes a hierarchy of centres: Sites should only be selected further down the hierarchy if no sequentially preferable sites are available, suitable and viable. In Oxford, the hierarchy of centres comprises the city centre, the primary district centre, district centres, and then neighbourhood centres. Sites on the edge of the city and district centres are likely to be more suitable than neighbourhood centres for developments serving a wide catchment, especially retail developments. Maintaining or increasing the mix of uses in an area reduces the need to travel, as well as adding vitality and diversity and encouraging regeneration. The City Council will seek to promote and retain a mix of uses, particularly in areas that are realistically accessible by walking, cycling or public transport and are close to local facilities. LAQM Progress Report

37 LAQM Progress Report

38 Saved Local Plan Policies The Oxford Local Plan was adopted in Many of the policies in this document are saved and therefore continue to form part of the Development Plan for Oxford. Oxford s Adopted Local Plan provides a requirement for Transport Assessments. Development should be located, designed and implemented to promote access by sustainable modes of transport and to reduce reliance on car travel. Where the City Council considers transport assessment (TA) to be necessary, this must be submitted by applicants to ensure that our determination of the application is based on appropriate information. The Core Strategy is supported by the following Saved Policies of the Oxford Local Plan : (Section Local Plan) Travel plans (TPs) must be submitted for proposals that are likely to have significant transport implications, including those for all major development comprising employment, retail, leisure and other developments that will generate significant amounts of travel. LAQM Progress Report

39 POLICY TR.11 - CITY CENTRE CAR PARKING The City Council will not allow any significant increase in the overall number of parking spaces in the Transport Central Area, and will maintain approximately the present number of public off-street parking spaces. (Car parking at Oxford Station is not treated as public car parking for the purposes of this Policy.) POLICY TR.12 - PRIVATE NON-RESIDENTIAL PARKING When determining planning applications, the City Council will seek to reduce the number of private non-residential parking spaces, particularly in the Transport Central Area and Transport District Areas, when they are not required for operational reasons. Where the City Council considers an existing site to be a major traffic generator, planning permission will not be granted for further provision of private non-residential off-street parking. Air Quality Management Area Local authorities are required to establish Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA s) to improve air quality where they do not expect air quality objectives to be met. The planning system has a role to play in the protection of air quality by ensuring that land use decisions do not adversely affect the air quality in the AQMA, or in other areas where air quality objectives are unlikely to be met. A development will be assessed against its direct effect on air quality, and also the effect of the traffic it generates. Some schemes will in themselves reduce the air quality in the central area, but will lead to an overall improvement. LAQM Progress Report