2014 Air Quality Progress Report for City of London Corporation. In fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management

Transcription

1 2014 Air Quality Progress Report for City of London Corporation In fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management April 2014

2 Local Authority Kelly Wilson Officer Ruth Calderwood Department Markets and Consumer Protection Address City of London, Guildhall, PO Box 270, London EC2P 2EJ Telephone Local Authorities City of London Corporation Report Reference COL/ PR/ 2014 number Date April 2014 LAQM Progress Report

3 Executive Summary The annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )and fine particle (PM 10 ) levels recorded at automated sites in the City of London saw an increase in 2013 compared to 2012 (except Sir John Cass School, which stayed the same for NO 2 ). The NO 2 hourly mean at the two roadside sites also increased. The number of PM 10 daily means exceeding the objective at Upper Thames Street increased and Beech Street and John Cass School decreased. Nitrogen dioxide levels continue to be high in the City, with the annual mean objective being exceeded at all automatic monitoring sites and most diffusion tube sites. Particularly high levels were seen at Walbrook Wharf and Beech Street roadside sites, with exceedences of the hourly mean objective. Walbrook Wharf is beside Upper Thames Street, which has a high volume of traffic and low dispersion due to street canyon effects. Beech Street is a roadside site within a tunnel, which also has low dispersion. The annual mean and 24-hour mean objectives for PM 10 were exceeded at Upper Thames Street. This location has exceeded the 24-hour mean objective since monitoring started in 2008 and has been close to the annual objective during this time. Beech Street saw a decrease in the number of days the 24-hr average PM 10 objective was exceeded compared to 2012, which could be attributable to increased street washing within the Beech Street tunnel during Defra has reported that UK levels of particulate matter at urban background and roadside sites were higher in 2013 than during 2012, which is reflected in the above results. Kings College reported eleven air pollution episodes in London during 2013 (summarised in Appendix B) which contribute to City of London exceedences. Based on the results presented in this report it is not appropriate to revise the Air Quality Management Area status of the City of London and detailed assessment is not required for any pollutants. LAQM Progress Report

4 The City of London continues to work to improve air quality, by implementing the actions in its Air Quality Strategy ; the strategy is being reviewed in 2014/2015. The City also continues to work closely with stakeholders such as the Greater London Authority, Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, King s College London, and other Central London Local Authorities. LAQM Progress Report

5 Table of Contents 1 Introduction Description of Local Authority Areas Purpose of Progress Report Air Quality Objectives Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9 2 New Monitoring Data Summary of Monitoring Undertaken Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 17 3 New Local Developments 35 4 Local / Regional Air Quality Strategy 36 5 Air Quality Planning Policies 37 6 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 38 7 Climate Change Strategies 39 8 Implementation of actions in the Air Quality Strategy Overall summary of progress Exemplar borough criteria Progress with Actions detailed in the City Air Quality Strategy 45 9 Conclusions and Proposed Actions Conclusions from New Monitoring Data Proposed Actions References Appendices 63 LAQM Progress Report

6 List of Tables Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England Table 2.1 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 2.2 Details of Non- Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 2.3 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO 2 : Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO 2 : Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective Table 2.5 Results of NO 2 Diffusion Tubes 2013 Table 2.6 Results of NO 2 Diffusion Tubes (2009 to 2013) Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM 10 : Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 2.8 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM 10 : Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective Table 2.9 Results of Automatic Monitoring of PM 2.5 Annual mean List of Figures Figure 1.1 Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2 Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5 Figure 2.6 Figure 2.7 Map of AQMA Boundary Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites Trends in Annual Mean NO 2 Concentrations at Automatic Monitoring Sites Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations Measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites Trends in Annual Mean PM 10 Concentrations Trends in 24-hour Average PM 10 Concentrations Trends in SO 2 Concentrations Appendices Appendix A: Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Data Appendix B: Pollution Episodes in London during 2013 Appendix C: Monthly diffusion tube results Appendix D: Exemplar Borough Letter Appendix E: Information provided to Health Watch LAQM Progress Report

7 1 Introduction 1.1 Description of Local Authority Areas The City of London is the financial and commercial heart of Britain, also known as the square mile. It is a densely developed urban area in the centre of Greater London, and is approximately 2.9km 2 in area. It is the historic heart of London, and has been inhabited since Roman times. The City experiences some of the worst air quality in the UK, primarily due to the density of development and its geographical location. Road traffic is the main source of pollution in the City, supplemented by commercial and domestic heating. Construction and Deconstruction activities are also a significant source. There are no industrial sources of pollution in the City. Due to its location in the heart of London, the City is heavily influenced by pollution generated in neighbouring authorities, and across London as a whole. As with other areas in the southeast of England, the City is also affected by pollutants (notably fine particulates) thought to originate from continental Europe. 1.2 Purpose of Progress Report This report fulfils the requirements of the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) process as set out in Part IV of the Environment Act (1995), the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 2007 and the relevant Policy and Technical Guidance documents. The LAQM process places an obligation on all local authorities to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas, and to determine whether or not the air quality objectives are likely to be achieved. Where exceedences are considered likely, the local authority must then declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the measures it intends to put in place in pursuit of the objectives. LAQM Progress Report

8 Progress Reports are required in the intervening years between the three-yearly Updating and Screening Assessment reports. Their purpose is to maintain continuity in the LAQM process. They are not intended to be as detailed as Updating and Screening Assessment Reports, or to require as much effort. However, if the Progress Report identifies the risk of exceedence of an Air Quality Objective, the Local Authority (LA) should undertake a Detailed Assessment immediately, and not wait until the next round of Review and Assessment. 1.3 Air Quality Objectives 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). LAQM Progress Report

9 Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be Concentration Measured as achieved by Benzene µg/m 3 Running annual mean 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 0.50 µg/m 3 Annual mean Nitrogen dioxide Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) (gravimetric) Sulphur dioxide 0.25 µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year 1-hour mean µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 24-hour mean 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 15-minute mean LAQM Progress Report

10 1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments The City of London Stage 1 and 2 Review and Assessment was published in September The review identified three pollutants with potential to exceed the air quality objectives: nitrogen dioxide; fine particulates and sulphur dioxide. Further work for Stage 3 of the Review and Assessment process concluded that just nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates were likely to exceed the objectives. The whole of the City was consequently declared an Air Quality Management Area in January 2001 for these two pollutants. The need for an Air Quality Management Area was confirmed in the Stage 4 Review and Assessment published in June The City consequently published an Action Plan in May 2003 detailing the measures that would be taken in the City to improve air quality. The 2006 and 2009 Updating and Screening Assessments both concluded that there was no requirement for a Detailed Assessment for any of the specified pollutants, and that it was pertinent to maintain the Air Quality Management Area for the whole of the City of London, for both NO 2 and PM 10. In the spring of 2011, the City of London Air Quality Strategy received committee approval. The strategy outlines how air quality policy at the City will be developed from 2011 to 2015, and sets out 32 actions to achieve this. This Strategy will be reviewed and updated in 2014/2015. Although a lot of work has been undertaken since 1998 with a view to improving air quality in the City, levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates continue to be a problem, and the AQMA remains appropriate for the whole of the City of London (Figure 1.1). A number of the documents discussed here can be viewed on the City of London website: LAQM Progress Report

11 Figure 1.1 Map of AQMA Boundary Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey LAQM Progress Report

12 2 New Monitoring Data 2.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken Automatic Monitoring Sites The locations and details of all automatic monitoring sites are shown in Figure 2.1 and Table 2.1. Since the previous report, the urban background site CT1 has closed (formally monitoring O 3, NO 2 and SO 2 ). The SO 2 levels at CT1 were consistently below the objective and local objectives for improving ground level ozone are not included in the Air Quality Regulations The City retains another urban background site (CT3) which monitors NO 2 together with PM 10. As CT1 saw similar NO 2 results to CT3, CT1 therefore closed. The urban background site at CT6 (rooftop measuring NO 2 ) has also closed as a local permanent source was found which may have influenced results. Quality assurance and quality control details for all automatic monitoring sites in the City are provided in Appendix A. Some of the results discussed may be subject to a slight change, depending on the results of data ratification. LAQM Progress Report

13 Figure 2.1 Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites LAQM Progress Report

14 Table 2.1 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites for City of London Site ID Site Name Site Type X OS Grid Reference CT 2 CT 3 Farringdon Street John Cass School Y OS Grid Reference Inlet Height (m) Pollutants Monitored In AQMA? Monitoring Technique Relevant Exposure? (Y/N with distance (m) from monitoring site to relevant exposure) Distance to Kerb of Nearest Road (m) (N/A if not applicable) Does this Location Represent Worst- Case Exposure? Kerbside PM 2.5 Y BAM Yes (4m) 1m Y Urban Background PM 10 Y BAM Yes (in playground N/A N/A CT 3 CT 4 CT4 CT6 CT 8 John Cass School Beech Street Beech Street Walbrook Wharf Upper Thames St Urban Background NO 2 Y Chemolum inescence Yes (in playground) Roadside PM 10 Y TEOM Yes (5m) 1m Y Roadside NO 2 Y Chemolum inescence Roadside NO 2 Y Chemolum inescence N/A N/A Yes (5m) 1m Y Yes (3m) 1m Y Roadside PM 10 Y TEOM Yes (3m) 2m Y LAQM Progress Report

15 2.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites Diffusion tubes were used in 2013 to monitor nitrogen dioxide. The tubes used are managed by Bureau Veritas as part of the London-Wide Environment Programme (LWEP). All diffusion tubes employed in the LWEP programme are prepared and analysed by UKAS accredited Gradko International Ltd. Diffusion tubes are prepared using the 50% v/v triethanolamine with acetone method and analysed using UV spectrometry. The diffusion tubes are labelled, and kept refrigerated in plastic bags prior to and after exposure until sent. The 2013 National Bias Adjustment Factor used is 1.00, which is the more conservative than the 2013 LWEP factor of Further QA/QC information relating the diffusion tube results is included in Appendix A. Figure 2.2 shows a map of nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube sites in the City of London and table 2.2 provides details of all sites. In August 2013, the City started an additional diffusion tube monitoring programme near to the CT3 automated monitoring station. Tubes have been set up around the school and a co-location programme has started. Less than 6 months of data is currently available, so the results will be reported when a full year s dataset is available. In 2013, Residents in the Barbican Estate started a diffusion tube monitoring programme at over 50 locations, at varying heights. The results will be presented in the next progress report. LAQM Progress Report

16 Figure 2.2 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites LAQM Progress Report

17 Site ID CL5 CL38 CL39 CL40 CL55 Table 2.2 Details of Non- Automatic Monitoring Sites for City of London Site Name Site Type X OS Grid Reference St. Bartholomew s Hospital courtyard St. Andrew s Church, Queen Victoria Street St. Dunstan s Church, Fleet Street Guinness Trust Estate, Mansell Street. CL 55 Speed House, Barbican Centre Y OS Grid Reference Site Height (m) Pollutants Monitored In AQMA? Is Monitoring Co-located with a Continuous Analyser (Y/N) Relevant Exposure? (Y/N with distance (m) from monitoring site to relevant exposure) Distance to Kerb of Nearest Road (m) (N/A if not applicable) Does this Location Represent Worst- Case Exposure? Urban Centre NO 2 Y N Y N/A N/A Roadside NO 2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N Roadside NO 2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y Roadside NO 2 Y N Y (3m) 3m N Urban Background NO 2 Y N Y N/A N/A LAQM Progress Report

18 2.2 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives All of the City s monitoring sites are located within the existing AQMA and represent relevant exposure. Nitrogen Dioxide The NO 2 annual mean objective was achieved at Speed House, Barbican (an urban background, diffusion tube site). The annual mean objective was exceeded at all other diffusion tube and automatic sites in the City. The NO 2 hourly mean objective was exceeded at Beech Street (CT4) and Walbrook Wharf (CT6) roadside sites. It was met at the Sir John Cass School (CT3) urban background site. PM10 The PM 10 annual mean objective was not achieved at the Upper Thames Street (CT8) roadside site. This site experiences high traffic volumes and has been boarder-line (>36µg/m 3 ) since 2009 and also exceeded the objective in The PM hr mean objective was exceeded at Upper Thames Street (CT8) roadside site and was met at the Sir John Cass (CT3) urban background site and Beech Street (CT4) roadside site. Other Monitoring Although there is no obligation to monitor PM 2.5 the results obtained are detailed in the relevant section. LAQM Progress Report

19 2.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) In the City, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) is monitored using both (automatic) continuous analysers and (non-automatic) diffusion tubes. Continuous monitoring data is used to measure against both an hourly average objective and an annual average objective value. Diffusion tubes are used to measure against the annual average objective only. There are three continuous monitors in the City. Two are roadside sites: Beech Street (CT4) and Walbrook Wharf (CT6), and one urban background site Sir John Cass School (CT3). The City of London no longer monitors at the urban background sites, Senator House or Walbrook Wharf Roof (as discussed in section 2.1.1) There are five diffusion tube sites in the City. One is an urban centre site (St. Bartholomew s Hospital). Three are roadside/kerbside sites (St. Andrew s by the Wardrobe, Queen Victoria Street; St. Dunstan s in the West, Fleet Street and The Guinness Trust Estate, Mansell Street). One is an urban background site (Speed House, The Barbican). In an additional diffusion tube network was set up in and around the Sir John Cass s Foundation Primary school (close to CT3) and the Barbican Estate. Results will be presented next year when a full dataset is available. Automatic Monitoring Data In 2013 the annual objective was not achieved at any automatic site and the hourly average objective was not achieved at the two roadside sites: Beech Street (CT4) Walbrook Wharf (CT6) Tables 2.3 and 2.4 show the results of automatic monitoring in Figure 2.3 shows trends in annual mean concentrations since LAQM Progress Report

20 Table 2.3 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO 2 : Comparison with Annual Mean Objective for City of London Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? CT3 (John Cass) CT4 (Beech St) CT 6 (Walbrook) Valid Data Capture for Monitoring Period % a Valid Data Capture 2013 % b Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m 3 ) Urban Background Y n/a Roadside Y n/a Roadside Y n/a In bold, exceedence of the NO 2 annual mean AQS objective of 40µg/m 3 a i.e. data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year b i.e. data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for six months the maximum data capture for the full calendar year would be 50%) LAQM Progress Report

21 Figure 2.3 Trends in Annual Mean NO 2 Concentrations Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites A trend chart providing NO 2 annual mean results since All sites have exceeded the annual objective during this period with Walbrook Wharf roadside site above the others (except in 2000). The Senator House urban background site has now closed and the City retains the other urban background site Sir John Cass School, which shows a similar trend above the air quality objective. LAQM Progress Report

22 Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for NO 2 : Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective for City of London Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? CT3 (John Cass) CT4 (Beech St) CT 6 (Walbrook) Valid Data Capture for Monitoring Period % a Valid Data Capture 2013 % b Number of Hourly Means > 200µg/m Urban Background Y n/a Roadside Y n/a Roadside Y n/a *** In bold, exceedence of the NO 2 hourly mean AQS objective (200µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year) a i.e. data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year ***there were 231 exceedences, but the data capture is just below the 75% threshold to be reliable (74%) LAQM Progress Report

23 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data Annual NO 2 concentrations from diffusion tubes are summarised in table 2.5. Table 2.6 and Figure 2.4 show trends in Annual mean NO 2 concentrations measured at diffusion tube sites. In 2013, the annual objective was achieved at one site, Speed House, Barbican Centre; all other sites exceeded the 40µg/m 3 annual objective. The national bias adjustment factor for 2013 of 1 (as derived from the National bias adjustment calculator) was used to adjust the results. See Appendix A for more details regarding the choice of factor and methodology details. Appendix C contains the monthly average results. A co-location of two tubes at the CT3 continuous monitoring location was started in 2013, however less than 6 months of data is available and the co-location will continue in 2014 and be presented in the next report. None of the other sites are collocated with continuous analysers, and there were no triplicate tubes exposed in LAQM Progress Report

24 Table 2.5 Results of NO 2 Diffusion Tubes 2013 for City of London Site ID Location Site Type Within AQMA? Triplicate or Colocated Tube Full Calendar Year Data Capture 2013 (Number of Months or %) 2013 Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m 3 ) - Bias Adjustment factor = 1.00 b CL5 CL38 CL39 CL40 CL55 St. Bartholomew s Hospital courtyard St. Andrew s Church, Queen Victoria Street St. Dunstan s Church, Fleet Street Guinness Trust Estate, Mansell Street. CL 55 Speed House, Barbican Centre Urban Centre Y N Roadside Y N Roadside Y N Roadside Y N Urban Background In bold, exceedence of the NO 2 annual mean AQS objective of 40µg/m 3 Y N Underlined, annual mean > 60µg/m 3, indicating a potential exceedence of the NO 2 hourly mean AQS objective LAQM Progress Report

25 Table 2.6 Results of NO 2 Diffusion Tubes (2009 to 2013) for City of London Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? CL5 (St. Barts) CL38 (St. Andrews) CL39 (Fleet St) CL40 (Mansell St) CL55 (S/H) Urban Centre 2009 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 1 ) Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m 3 ) - Adjusted for Bias a 2010 (Bias 2011 (Bias 2012 (Bias Adjustment Adjustment Adjustment Factor = 0.99 ) Factor = 1.02 ) Factor = 1.04 ) 2013 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 1.00) Y Roadside Y Roadside Y Roadside Y Urban Background Y In bold, exceedence of the NO 2 annual mean AQS objective of 40µg/m 3 Underlined, annual mean > 60µg/m 3, indicating a potential exceedence of the NO 2 hourly mean AQS objective LAQM Progress Report

26 Figure 2.4 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations Measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites A trend chart providing NO 2 annual mean results since The results in 2013 are broadly similar to that in previous years, with St. Dunstan s Church on Fleet Street exceeding all other sites. All sites except Speed House have exceeded the annual objective since LAQM Progress Report

27 2.2.2 Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) In the City, the majority of PM 10 is emitted outside the City boundary. This means that the capacity to manage overall PM 10 concentrations at a local level is limited. Table 2.7 shows annual mean concentrations at all sites, and table 2.8 shows the number of times the 24-hour mean was exceeded. Figure 2.5 shows the trend in annual mean concentrations at City of London sites since TEOM measurements at Beech Street and Upper Thames Street have had the Volatile Correction Model (VCM) applied. Results appear lower from 2008 onwards, but this is likely to be due in part to the application of the VCM. In 2013, the annual mean and 24-hr objective was not achieved at Upper Thames Street (CT8). This site experiences high traffic volumes and the annual average objective has, at times, been close to the objective since monitoring started in This site has also consistently breeched the 24-hr average objective. Defra has reported that National levels of particulate matter at urban background and roadside sites were higher in 2013 than during Kings College reported eight pollution incidents in London during 2013 involving PM 10. One in January, three in February, two in March and September, one in April, August and December. These episodes spanned over approximately 31 days and will have influenced the results obtained. Following a previous exceedence of the 24-hour objective at Beech Street in 2012 (potentially due to increased traffic flow as a result of road closures associated with Crossrail), the 24-hour objective was not exceeded in This situation was monitored during 2013 and increased levels of particulate were noted in the tunnel during periods of diverted traffic. As a result, street washing in the tunnel was increased, which may have had the effect of reducing the particulate levels. LAQM Progress Report

28 Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM 10 : Comparison with Annual Mean Objective for City of London Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? CT3 (John Cass) CT4 (Beech St) CT8 (UTS) Valid Data Capture for Monitoring Period % a Valid Data Capture 2013 % Confirm Gravimetric Equivalent (Y or N/A) Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m 3 ) Urban Background Y n/a 95 Y Roadside Y n/a 95 Y Roadside Y n/a 90 Y ** In bold, exceedence of the PM 10 annual mean AQS objective of 40µg/m 3 a i.e. data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year ** data not fully ratified LAQM Progress Report

29 Figure 2.5 Trends in Annual Mean PM 10 Concentrations A trend chart providing PM 10 annual mean results since TEOM measurements at Beech Street (CT4) and Upper Thames Street (CT8) have had the Volatile Correction Model (VCM) applied; this could account for lower levels since 2008 for Beech Street. Upper Thames Street has been close to the objective since monitoring began. Year LAQM Progress Report

30 Table 2.8 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM 10 : Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective for City of London Site ID Site Type Within AQMA? CT3 (John Cass) CT4 (Beech St) CT8 (UTS) Valid Data Capture for Monitoring Period % a Valid Data Capture 2013 % b Confirm Gravimetric Equivalent (Y or N/A) Number of Daily Means > 50µg/m c 2010 c 2011 c 2012 c 2013 c Urban Background Y n/a 95 Y Roadside Y n/a 95 Y Roadside Y n/a 90 Y ** In bold, exceedence of the PM 10 daily mean AQS objective (50µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year) a i.e. data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year c if data capture for full calendar year is less than 90%, include the 90.4 th percentile of 24-hour means in brackets ** data not fully ratified LAQM Progress Report

31 Figure 2.6 Trends in 24-hour Average PM 10 Concentrations A trend chart providing PM hourly average results. The Beech Street site (CT4) was above the objective and after a decrease in 2008, it has steadily increased again until 2012, when it exceeded the objective. In 2013 the 24-hr average decreased, which could be attributable to an increase in street washing in the tunnel. Upper Thames Street (CT8) has been consistently above the 24-hour objective since monitoring started in The Sir John Cass site has remained below the objective. Year LAQM Progress Report

32 2.2.3 Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2 ) The City of London has typically seen very low levels of SO 2, (see graph in figure 2.7). Local concentrations are predominantly influenced by distant industrial point sources. Easterly winds have occasionally given rise to increased concentrations by bringing SO 2 from power stations along the Thames corridor. Even with this contribution, concentrations are found to be very low. The City of London started monitoring SO 2 in The City has not exceeded any of the objectives during this time and due to the low levels observed, the monitoring of SO 2 has stopped and no monitoring was conducted during LAQM Progress Report

33 Figure 2.7 Trends in SO 2 Concentrations The City of London has typically seen very low levels of SO 2 and no longer monitors SO 2. The 2012 data capture was too low to provide reliable results and has therefore not been included in the graph. LAQM Progress Report

34 2.2.4 Benzene No Benzene monitoring was conducted in Other Pollutants Monitored PM 2.5 The Department of health are now using PM 2.5 as a metric for improving health. There are two PM 2.5 limit values coming into force in 2015, one relating to an annual mean concentration (25µg/m 3 by 2020), and the other a 10% net reduction in concentrations at urban background locations, measured as a 3-year mean. The site at Farringdon Street is a kerbside site, and so the only relevant limit value is the annual mean concentration. Table 2.9 shows the annual mean result for The monitoring method is not a European Reference method and so the results are not directly comparable to the above standard; however, the results indicate a exceedence of the above annual limit value. Table 2.9 Results of Automatic Monitoring of PM 2.5 Annual Mean Site ID Site Type Within AQMA CT2 (Farringdon) Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m 3 ) Kerbside Y LAQM Progress Report

35 2.2.6 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives The City of London Corporation has examined the results from monitoring in the City of London. Concentrations within the AQMA exceed the annual mean for Nitrogen Dioxide at all locations, except the diffusion tube site at Speed House and the AQMA should remain. Concentrations within the AQMA still exceed the 1 hour mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide at the following locations and the AQMA should remain: CT4 - Beech Street CT6 - Walbrook Wharf Concentrations within the AQMA exceed the annual mean for PM10 at the following location and the AQMA should remain: CT8 Upper Thames Street Concentrations within the AQMA exceed the 24-hour mean for PM10 at the following location and the AQMA should remain: CT8 Upper Thames Street LAQM Progress Report

36 3 New Local Developments The City of London is in a constant state of redevelopment. New developments are either commercial or residential in nature, there are no industrial developments. Any air quality assessments undertaken always indicate negligible impact on local air quality. This is due to the high background levels of pollution, energy efficient designs and low NOx boilers installed. Three planning applications had environmental impact assessments undertaken during 2013 and they all concluded there would be negligible impact on air quality from the developments. Very few developments include spaces for car parking, and where they do, it is for a very small number of vehicles. Emissions associated with the demolition and construction phase are controlled through the City Corporation code of practice, which is updated annually to reflect best practice. We are also working very closely with the construction and demolition industry to see where further reductions in emissions can be achieved. The City of London Corporation confirms that there are no new or newly identified local developments which may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area. The City of London confirms that all the following have been considered: Road traffic sources Other transport sources Industrial sources Commercial and domestic sources New developments with fugitive or uncontrolled sources Planning applications LAQM Progress Report

37 4 Local / Regional Air Quality Strategy The City of London published its Air Quality Strategy in It runs from 2011 to It will be reviewed during It is available at It contains a range of actions and progress with each action is detailed in section 8. LAQM Progress Report

38 5 Air Quality Planning Policies The City of London Core Strategy requires development to positively address local air quality, particularly nitrogen dioxide and particulates PM 10 (the City s Air Quality Management Area pollutants). Actions in the City of London Air Quality Strategy relate specifically to planning: Action 17 Action 18 Action 20 Action 21 Action 23 Air quality will be a consideration in all development and the City of London will require developers to undertake detailed air quality impact assessments of major developments adjacent to sensitive premises, such as residential properties, schools and St Bartholomew s Hospital. This will form part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Major developments will be encouraged to obtain maximum points for the pollution section of the BREEAM assessment relating to NOx emissions i.e. to meet a dry NOx emission rating of <40 mg/kwh for boilers (this is equivalent to a NOx rating >5). Developers will be encouraged to install non-combustion renewable energy technology to work towards energy security and carbon reduction targets. A detailed air quality impact assessment will be required for any development where biofuel or biomass is proposed for on-site energy generation. Where appropriate, the City of London will secure air quality improvements through the S106 process. LAQM Progress Report

39 6 Local Transport Plans and Strategies The City of London Local Implementation Plan 2011 has the following key policies relating to air quality: LIP : To reduce the pollution of air, water and soils and excessive noise and vibration caused by transport in the City. LIP : To reduce the adverse effects of transport in the City on health, particularly health impacts related to poor air quality and excessive noise and the contribution that travel choices can make to sedentary lifestyles. LAQM Progress Report

40 7 Climate Change Strategies The City of London has produced a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy, which sets out how the City plans to encourage action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Square Mile. The Air Quality Strategy forms part of the delivery mechanism for the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy. The City of London obtained funding to commission a best practice guidance document Air Quality and Climate Change: Integrating Policy in Local Authorities. It outlines how local authorities can integrate air quality and climate change policy and the importance of integrating both policy areas into other plans and strategies that guide local authority functions. This document informs policy development at the City, and the following action in the Air Quality Strategy: Action 2 The City of London will ensure that, if possible, policies introduced to improve air quality will also have a positive benefit on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and policies introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will have a positive benefit on air quality. LAQM Progress Report

41 8 Implementation of actions in the Air Quality Strategy Overall summary of progress The City Corporation continues to make good progress with actions contained within the air quality strategy, in addition to a number of other actions which are detailed in section 8.2. Air quality is the number 3 public health priority for the City and work has commenced to integrate public health criteria into air quality policy. There has been a huge amount of interest in community air quality monitoring by the public and engagement with City businesses continues with key air quality champions being awarded air quality pledge certificates at an event held in March The CityAir smartphone app, launched in December 2013, has been very well received and the City Corporation is leading on a project with Bar s Health NHS trust. The City Corporation has been working with school children on air quality projects and a substantial amount of greening has been installed at Sir John Cass School. 8.2 Exemplar borough criteria To access funding from the new Mayor s Air Quality Fund, the City of London Corporation has been requested to commit to make progress against each of the following criteria. The criteria will be incorporated into the revised Air Quality Strategy, due this year. However, they are reported on below, before the table of actions in the existing strategy, for ease of reference Political leadership The Chairman of Port Health and Environmental Services wrote to the Mayor of London to confirm the City Corporation s commitment to taking action to improve air quality. A copy of the letter is attached as Appendix D The City Corporation has an up to date air quality action plan contained within the Air Quality Strategy This is being updated ahead of schedule in order to reflect the City Corporation s commitment to dealing with air quality as a public health issue Taking action The City Corporation has been working with Sir John Cass primary school to both improve local air quality and work with the school children to raise LAQM Progress Report

42 awareness. Over 150 air quality plants have been installed, as well as green ivy screens. Detailed monitoring is underway around the school and an entire school engagement programme is about to commence. This is part of the Greater London Authority Schools Clean Air Zones Programme. The City Corporation is leading on an air quality engagement project with Bart s Health NHS Trust to improve local air quality, reduce emissions associated with Bart s activity and raise awareness amongst vulnerable people. The City Corporation has been engaging with the business community to get their help for improving air quality and raising public awareness through the CityAir programme. 18 City businesses attended a lunchtime event to receive certificates outlining their commitment to taking action. The event was hosted by Nomura International plc., a City business. The City Corporation is installing new and improved taxi ranks in consultation with the taxi trade to help to reduce the amount of plying for hire by taxis in the Square Mile. The ranks will be publicised locally and taxi drivers encouraged to use them. The City Corporation is implementing a 20mph zone across its entire area from July Air quality improvement was an important consideration in the decision. A 20mph speed restriction will help to improve traffic flow and reduce stop / start conditions. Aldgate gyratory is being taken out and a public space being developed. The road design that would have the most positive benefit on improving air quality at a nearby school was chosen The City Corporation is assessing the impact on air quality of local timed closure zones and will roll out if successful. LIP funding has been made available as match funding for Mayors Air Quality Fund projects. 25,000 was made available for Sir John Cass School in 2013/14 and 26,000 for dealing with emissions from taxis. From January 2012, the City of London made a commitment to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to drivers who refuse to turn their vehicle engines off when asked to do so by authorised officers. The City undertook a widespread publicity campaign to reduce the amount of vehicle idling and has produced a set of posters aimed at specific vehicle types. Letters have been written to coach companies, taxi operators and key delivery companies to outline the requirement to turn vehicle engines off when parked. The City Corporation has been working closely with construction sites to ensure drivers do not leave engines running. Construction sites display City of London no idling posters and give leaflets out to drivers. Areas that have a problem with delivery vehicles leaving engines on have been targeted by delivering letters by hand to all businesses in the area asking them to ensure drivers of delivery vehicles turn their engines off. Other drivers are approached as officers see them as they walk around the City. Signs asking drivers to turn engines off have been LAQM Progress Report

43 erected in areas of concern in the City. Civil Enforcement Officers speak to drivers with their engines running and ask them to turn them off Leading by example The City Corporation maintains an appropriate air quality monitoring network so that air quality impacts within the borough can be properly understood. Data is made publicly available on the London Air web site and this feeds into the CityAir smart phone app. The City Corporation runs a national annual Sustainable City air quality award to recognise organisations that have taken action to improve air quality. The City Corporation also runs an annual Considerate Contractors Environment award to encourage innovation in the construction and demolition industry. In addition to the two awards above, 2013 saw the first Clean City award for air quality awarded to City businesses that are taking action to reduce emissions of air pollutants. This will be an annual award The City Corporation has been reducing emissions from its buildings and fleet for a number of years. Since the 2008/9 financial year, PM10 emissions have reduced by over 50% and NOx by over 40%. This has been achieved by improved management and a reduction in size of the fleet and the purchase of, newer cleaner vehicles. Similarly emissions of PM10 and NOx from City buildings have reduced over the same time period by over 15% The City Corporation Responsible Procurement Strategy requires that for large contracts over 250k, at least 10% of the qualitative contract award evaluation criteria must address responsible procurement issues, which includes the use of zero emission vehicles. The potential use of zero emissions vehicles, and application of the principles enshrined in the Zero and Low Emission contractors directory, commissioned by the City Corporation in 2012, are factored into contract award criteria and specifications every time the City conducts sourcing projects. For example, the City has a contract with City Sprint for UK and London deliveries and they undertake the vast majority of deliveries from the Guildhall using push bikes. In addition, Office Depot are the City s approved supplier of office supplies, not only do they use a wide range of zero emission vehicles they also, at the direction of the City, endeavour to restrict the numbers of deliveries to the Guildhall to two days a week to minimise emissions still further Using the planning system The City Corporation discourages the use of biomass as a source of fuel and requires low NOx emission CHP technology via its best practice guidance. There is minimal car parking space associated with all new developments. This discourages people from driving into the City. LAQM Progress Report

44 The City Corporation has been using s106 from new developments to support air quality improvements within the Square Mile and will continue to do so The City Corporation regulates air pollution control on construction and demolition sites, with regular checks on medium and high risk building sites. The City of London code of practice for construction and deconstruction reflects the draft guidance issued by the Mayor of London and is updated annually to reflect best practice in the industry. The City Corporation is working closely with Sir Robert McAlpine s to establish what more can be done within the construction and demolition industry to reduce emissions associated with development, in particular controls over emissions from non road mobile machinery Integrating air quality into the public health system Air quality is a priority in the City Health and Wellbeing Strategy. An analysis has been undertaken of how the Health and Wellbeing Board can assist in improving air quality and reducing public exposure. A report was presented to the Board in January 2014 and recommendations are being implemented. These include running workshops for staff, which have been completed, carrying out a rapid health impact assessment of the Local Implementation Plan and incorporating public health into the revised Air Quality Strategy, due this A report has also been produced bringing together the latest papers on the health impacts of air pollution Informing the public The Cleaner Air for London marque is used for all projects supported by the Mayor s Air Quality Fund, e.g. see link below. ame=science%20in%20the%20city%20- %20Barbican%20Air%20Quality&minisite_group= The City Corporation promotes airtext, and has its own Smart Phone App CityAir, which provides advice to users when pollution levels are high. It also recommends action to reduce personal exposure and has a function to guide users along low pollution routes. There have been over 4000 downloads to date. An android and web based version is due in May 2014 The City Corporation has been working with a network of residents to monitor local air quality around the Barbican. Over 70 residents are involved in the scheme and they are monitoring nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 personal exposure LAQM Progress Report

45 and ozone. A similar scheme has commenced with the residents in Mansell Street. The City continues to support air quality action by businesses through the CityAir programme. 18 air quality champions in the City business sector were awarded certificates at an air quality business event in March A number of business events were supported by the City Corporation during the year. Information, such as that found in Appendix E,has been distributed to Health Watch and to residents groups The City of London Corporation distributes packs of information on air quality at various events throughout the year LAQM Progress Report

46 8.3 Progress with Actions detailed in the City Air Quality Strategy *M&CP = Markets and Consumer Protection, DoBE = Department of the Built Environment, TfL = Transport for London, CSD = City Surveyor s Department No. Action Progress to Date Progress in Last 12 Months 1 The City of London will continue to monitor air pollutants to ensure that air quality objectives and Limit Values are being met, and to assess the effectiveness of national, regional and local policies to reduce levels of pollution. The City currently monitors nitrogen dioxide, PM 10, and PM2.5,. Air quality data from all continuous monitoring stations is made available on the London Air Quality Network The City continues to focus its monitoring on PM10, NOx and PM2.5 as these are the key pollutants of concern. All data is made available on the London Air web site and feeds into the CityAir Smartphone App. An extensive air quality monitoring programme by residents in the City commenced in The residents are monitoring NO2, PM2.5, carbon and ozone. Detailed air quality monitoring has also been undertaken in and around Sir John Cass school as part of an engagement project. Lead Dept. or authority * M&CP Estimated Completion Date On going An annual report for 2013 data has been produced and will be made available on the City of London web site. The monitoring requirements of the City are reviewed annually. A report of the future air quality monitoring needs in the City was produced in The City of Using Defra air quality grant, the City of London Corporation commissioned The City of London continues to M&CP On going LAQM Progress Report

47 No. Action Progress to Date Progress in Last 12 Months London will ensure that, if possible, policies introduced to improve air quality will also have a positive benefit on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and policies introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will have a positive benefit on air quality. 3 Options for managing traffic in the City to improve air quality locally will be considered during Air quality impact assessments will be undertaken for transport schemes that Environmental Protection UK to produce a document to advise local authorities on integrating air quality and climate change policy. This document has been used to guide policy development at the City e.g. in the production of planning guidance for combined heat and power plant. The document is called Air Quality and Climate Change: Integrating Policy in Local Authorities Potential changes to the road network associated with the removal of the Aldgate gyratory system were modelled for their impact on local air quality, particularly at Sir John Cass School. The local air quality impact was taken into account when designing the final scheme. Air quality improvement is now a key part of the City of London Local Implementation Plan and has been written into the following key polices: LIP : To reduce the pollution of air, water and soils and excessive noise and vibration caused by transport in the City. LIP : To reduce the adverse effects of transport in the City on health, particularly health impacts related to poor air quality and excessive noise and the contribution that travel choices can make to sedentary lifestyles. The City has secured funding to look at potential ways to reduce emissions encourage non-combustion renewable energy sources in new developments and to ensure that carbon reduction policies, e.g. CHP plant, do not have a negative impact on local air quality. There were no new biomass plant installed in 2013 as far as the City Corporation is aware Further modelling was undertaken during 2013 to look at the potential impact on local air quality as a result of the changes to the Aldgate gyratory The City of London will be a 20mph zone from July Air quality was a consideration in the decision to move to a 20mph speed restriction The City is installing 3 new taxi ranks and will promote these locally to encourage the public Lead Dept. or authority * DoBE / M&CP Estimated Completion Date On going LAQM Progress Report