With ever-increasing traffic on our roads, monitoring and reducing air pollution is becoming more important in efforts to protect our health from the negative effects of poor air quality.
The Environment Act (1995) requires all district and borough councils to review sources of pollution in their own areas and assess the likely future concentrations of a number of pollutants.
In general, the quality of air across West Sussex is good. However, pollution near traffic sources and in built-up areas remains a problem, so monitoring busy roads is a priority. In most cases traffic is the main reason for the need to declare an Air Quality Management Area.
What do we do?
Each district or borough council with an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is required to produce an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to tackle the emissions. AQMAs in West Sussex are listed below with links to each council website.
| District/borough | Air Quality Management Area |
|---|---|
| Adur: Local Air Quality Management |
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| Arun: Air Quality including bonfires |
|
| Chichester: Air Quality Action Plan |
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| Crawley: Air Quality |
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| Horsham: Air Quality Assessment |
|
| Mid Sussex: Air Quality |
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| Worthing: Local Air Quality Management |
|
As the highway authority, we provide the district and borough councils with information, such as traffic data and, where possible, measures to reduce traffic-related air pollution in the AQAP.
Sussex Air Quality Partnership: Sussex-Air
Sussex Air is an important organisation that promotes improvements in air-quality related issues. It supports its members, which include the County Council, with their duties under the Environment Act through policy and air quality research.
It also provides information to the public, including air quality forecasts and pollution data on its website.
Visit Sussex-Air to find out more and sign up for warnings about air quality if you are sensitive to pollution.
How can I help improve air quality?
- If possible, avoid using the car for short trips - try walking, cycling or public transport.
- Turn off your engine if you are caught in a traffic jam or have to wait at level crossings; not only will this reduce your emissions but you will save fuel too.
- Consider using an alternative fuel vehicle - there is a growing market for electric vehicles with an expanding network of charging points in West Sussex and beyond.
- Consider working at home occasionally or car sharing.
Review of Local Air Quality Management policy
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consultation on the review of the Local Air Quality Management policy guidance ran from 28 March to 6 June 2022. Our response to this consultation is available below.
Air quality plan
We have worked with the district and borough councils to produce a county-wide air quality plan. This reviews activity that is currently underway and outlines the approach going forward.