Air quality strategy

Our air quality strategy provides a framework for air quality control through air quality management and air quality standards. Its aim is to protect the health of people and the environment. This is achieved by setting out standards for widely occurring air pollutants that are known to be harmful, alongside objectives for their completion. You can download the strategy below.

Clean Air Act

This came into force in 1993 and consolidates the 1956 and 1968 Clean Air Acts along with legislation from the Control of Pollution Acts 1974 and 1990. The main aim of the Act is to regulate the release of "dark smoke" and prevent instances such as the Great London smog of 1952 from ever being possible again. It is under the realms of this act that councils have the power to declare smoke control areas in their districts.

Environment Act

The Environment Act 1995 introduced a statutory duty for councils requiring them to review and assess the air quality within their districts and to identify those areas where further local measures will be required to achieve the air quality objectives.

Air quality regulations

Introduced in 1997, they set out the statutory objectives for councils for seven air pollutants.

You can find copies of the legislation on the Office of Public Sector Information website using the link below.