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2014 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report for Bedford Borough Council In fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management April 2014
Transcript
Page 1: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

2014 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report for Bedford Borough Council In fulfillment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management April 2014

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 1

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 2

Local Authority Officer

Melanie Crump

Department Environmental Health and Trading Standards

Address Borough Hall Caudwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone 01237 718099

e-mail melaniecrumpbedfordgovuk

Report Reference number

BBCAQPR14

Date 30th April 2014

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 3

Executive Summary

This Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is

exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre AQMA in

comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013 have shown a significant

improvement Only 29 of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean

objective compared to 65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air

quality This is also reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both

stations have measured a decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum

hourly mean

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting further data on areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact from the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 6

11 Description of Local Authority Area 6

12 Purpose of Progress Report 6

13 Air Quality Objectives 7

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9

2 New Monitoring Data 18

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 28

3 New Local Developments 43

31 Road Traffic Sources 43

32 Industrial Sources 44

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources 44

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 44

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy 45

5 Planning Applications 46

6 Air Quality Planning Policies 47

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan 48

Sustainable Development in Bedford 50

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 52

8 Climate Change Strategies 53

9 Implementation of Action Plans 54

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 55

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 55

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 55

103 Other Conclusions 56

104 Proposed Actions 57

11 References 59

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 2: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 1

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 2

Local Authority Officer

Melanie Crump

Department Environmental Health and Trading Standards

Address Borough Hall Caudwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone 01237 718099

e-mail melaniecrumpbedfordgovuk

Report Reference number

BBCAQPR14

Date 30th April 2014

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 3

Executive Summary

This Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is

exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre AQMA in

comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013 have shown a significant

improvement Only 29 of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean

objective compared to 65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air

quality This is also reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both

stations have measured a decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum

hourly mean

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting further data on areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact from the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 6

11 Description of Local Authority Area 6

12 Purpose of Progress Report 6

13 Air Quality Objectives 7

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9

2 New Monitoring Data 18

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 28

3 New Local Developments 43

31 Road Traffic Sources 43

32 Industrial Sources 44

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources 44

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 44

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy 45

5 Planning Applications 46

6 Air Quality Planning Policies 47

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan 48

Sustainable Development in Bedford 50

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 52

8 Climate Change Strategies 53

9 Implementation of Action Plans 54

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 55

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 55

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 55

103 Other Conclusions 56

104 Proposed Actions 57

11 References 59

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 3: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 2

Local Authority Officer

Melanie Crump

Department Environmental Health and Trading Standards

Address Borough Hall Caudwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP

Telephone 01237 718099

e-mail melaniecrumpbedfordgovuk

Report Reference number

BBCAQPR14

Date 30th April 2014

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 3

Executive Summary

This Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is

exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre AQMA in

comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013 have shown a significant

improvement Only 29 of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean

objective compared to 65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air

quality This is also reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both

stations have measured a decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum

hourly mean

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting further data on areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact from the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 6

11 Description of Local Authority Area 6

12 Purpose of Progress Report 6

13 Air Quality Objectives 7

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9

2 New Monitoring Data 18

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 28

3 New Local Developments 43

31 Road Traffic Sources 43

32 Industrial Sources 44

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources 44

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 44

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy 45

5 Planning Applications 46

6 Air Quality Planning Policies 47

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan 48

Sustainable Development in Bedford 50

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 52

8 Climate Change Strategies 53

9 Implementation of Action Plans 54

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 55

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 55

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 55

103 Other Conclusions 56

104 Proposed Actions 57

11 References 59

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 4: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 3

Executive Summary

This Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is

exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre AQMA in

comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013 have shown a significant

improvement Only 29 of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean

objective compared to 65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air

quality This is also reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both

stations have measured a decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum

hourly mean

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting further data on areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact from the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 6

11 Description of Local Authority Area 6

12 Purpose of Progress Report 6

13 Air Quality Objectives 7

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9

2 New Monitoring Data 18

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 28

3 New Local Developments 43

31 Road Traffic Sources 43

32 Industrial Sources 44

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources 44

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 44

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy 45

5 Planning Applications 46

6 Air Quality Planning Policies 47

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan 48

Sustainable Development in Bedford 50

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 52

8 Climate Change Strategies 53

9 Implementation of Action Plans 54

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 55

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 55

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 55

103 Other Conclusions 56

104 Proposed Actions 57

11 References 59

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 5: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 4

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 6

11 Description of Local Authority Area 6

12 Purpose of Progress Report 6

13 Air Quality Objectives 7

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 9

2 New Monitoring Data 18

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 28

3 New Local Developments 43

31 Road Traffic Sources 43

32 Industrial Sources 44

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources 44

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 44

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy 45

5 Planning Applications 46

6 Air Quality Planning Policies 47

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan 48

Sustainable Development in Bedford 50

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 52

8 Climate Change Strategies 53

9 Implementation of Action Plans 54

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 55

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 55

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 55

103 Other Conclusions 56

104 Proposed Actions 57

11 References 59

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 6: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 5

List of Tables

11 Air Quality Objectives

12 Summary of previous Review and Assessment

21 Details of automatic monitoring sites

22 Bias adjustment factors

23 Details of non-automatic monitoring sites

24 Results of automatic monitoring sites annual mean

25 Results of automatic monitoring sites hourly mean

26 Results of diffusion tubes 2009 ndash 2013

List of Figures

11 Map of AMQA 5

21 Location of automatic monitoring sites

22 Prebend Street monitoring station

23 Lurke Street monitoring station

24 Map of non-automatic monitoring sites

25 Trends in annual mean at Prebend Street monitoring site

26 Trends in annual mean at Lurke Street monitoring site

27 Trends in annual mean at diffusion tube sites

Appendices

Appendix A National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2012

QAQC of automatic monitoring

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 7: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 6

1 Introduction

11 Description of Local Authority Area

Bedford Borough Council was vested as a unitary authority on 1st April 2009 Bedford

Borough Council includes the main town of Bedford plus Kempston and 44 rural

parishes Bedford is a modern town with an historic past plus excellent rail links to

London and the Midlands 60 of the Boroughrsquos 6359 hectares are Green Belt The

2012 Census population estimate for Bedford Borough was 159200 which

represented a 65 increase since 2001

The busy A1 and A6 run through the Borough with the M1 in easy reach The main

sources of air pollutants are busy and congested roads with the main access to the

Bedford town centre from the south constrained by the river Great Ouse and the three

bridges that cross it near the town centre Previously the brickworks in Stewartby

were the major source of air pollution until brick making at the site ceased in

November 2008 There are about 54 other minor industrial processes that are

regulated by the Council plus other processes regulated by the Environment

Agency

12 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

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 8: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 7

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

13 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 11 This table shows the

objectives in units of micrograms per cubic metre microgm3 (milligrams per cubic metre

mgm3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year that are

permitted (where applicable)

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 9: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 8

Table 11 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene 1625 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

500 microgm3 Annual mean 31122010

13-Butadiene 225 microgm3 Running annual mean

31122003

Carbon monoxide 10 mgm3 Running 8-hour mean

31122003

Lead 050 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

025 microgm3 Annual mean 31122008

Nitrogen dioxide 200 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31122005

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122005

Particulate Matter (PM10)

(gravimetric)

50 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a

year

24-hour mean 31122004

40 microgm3 Annual mean 31122004

Sulphur dioxide 350 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 24 times a year

1-hour mean 31122004

125 microgm3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year

24-hour mean 31122004

266 microgm3 not to be exceeded more

than 35 times a year

15-minute mean 31122005

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 10: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 9

14 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

1 4 1 Air Quality Review amp Assessment (2004-2005)

Two Detailed Assessments carried out as part of the second round of Review and

Assessment confirmed that emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide from the traffic within

three locations in Bedford (High Street Prebend Street and the A421 running

through the village of Great Barford) were such that the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide was likely to be exceeded by the objective date of

31st December 2005 In addition it was concluded that the emissions from the

Stewartby Brickworks were such that all three National Standards for Sulphur

Dioxide were likely to be exceeded by their respective objective dates the earliest

being 31st of December 2004

In 2005 the Borough Council declared four AQMArsquos and commenced two Further

Assessments with which to inform the two Action Plans that will be needed to bring

about the improvements in air quality necessary to ensure the National Standards

are met A Progress Report in 2005 provided further confirmation of the highlighted

exceedences and also identified a need to expand the Nitrogen Dioxide passive

air quality monitoring resources particularly for those sites in London Road and

Dame Alice Street A commitment was also made to install new more accurate

real time air quality monitoring stations in key locations to monitor both Sulphur

Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 2 Air Quality Update and Screening Assessment (2006)

As part of its continuing obligations under the Environment Act 1995 Bedford

Borough Council commenced the third round of Review and Assessment in 2006

with an Update and Screening Assessment The purpose being to re-examine the

local air quality within the whole Borough to establish if there had been any changes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 11: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 10

since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality

elsewhere in the Borough other than those areas where AQMArsquos had been previously

declared This report incorporated the results of the newly expanded passive air quality

monitoring resources for Nitrogen Dioxide It concluded that as a consequence of

emissions from traffic there may be a need to expand the existing AQMArsquos on the

High Street and Prebend Street Bedford In addition concerns were raised over the

air quality on part of Goldington Road and Ampthill Road Bedford where again

emissions from traffic could threaten achievement of the annual mean National

Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide

1 4 3 Air Quality Further Assessment (2006)

Bedford Borough Council completed two Further Assessments in respect of the air

quality situation in the previously declared AQMArsquos These in depth studies have

been conducted to characterise the sources of pollution so as to enable effective

targeting within the Action Plans The Further Assessment for Nitrogen Dioxide has

supplemented information the Borough already had on the need to either designate

further AQMArsquos or expand those already existing The Further Assessment has

outlined areas outside of the AQMArsquos where the National Standards are being

exceeded Following completion of the Detailed Assessments Bedford Borough

Council will identify if an AQMA needs to be declared for the whole town Centre or if

expansion of the existing areas is adequate to encompass the areas where

exceedences are identified The Further Assessment for Sulphur Dioxide has

shown that the National Standards are still being exceeded in and around the

Stewartby area The existing AQMA incorporates the area of exceedence which the

Action Plan will work towards improving in the future

1 4 4 Air Quality Action Plan (2007)

The AQAP drawn up by Bedford Borough Council details the measures that the

Borough and its partners are taking to help improve the Air Quality of Bedford The

AQAP reflects the results of previously declared AQMArsquos by introducing schemes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 12: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 11

and measures to reduce the pollution emitted from vehicles and Stewartby

Brickworks The AQAP is a working document and will be continually reviewed

and updated in order to achieve each new target set The AQAP details the need

of a multidisciplinary approach involving all partners in order to improve Bedford

Air Quality

1 4 5 Air Quality Detailed Assessment 2007

Bedford Borough Council completed a Detailed Assessment as part of the next step

of the Local Air Quality Management process The Detailed Assessment was also

required as a result of the findings of the Councilrsquos 2006 Updating and Screening

Assessment The earlier screening assessment identified other parts of the Council

which may exceed the governmentrsquos annual mean The purpose of this report was

therefore to provide an accurate assessment of the likelihood of the objective being

exceeded at locations with relevant exposure The Detailed Assessment has

identified that further AQMArsquos for London Road Goldington Road and Newnham

Avenue need to be declared The report also identified the need to continue

monitoring on Ampthill Road

1 4 6 Air Quality Progress Report 2008

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality objectives were still

being exceeded widely at locations near the Bedford town centre with relevant

public exposure The Council therefore maintained its AQMArsquos for this pollutant As

reported by the Council previously the Stewartby Brickworks was the main source of

emissions leading to the AQMA declaration the Brickworks closed at the end of

February 2008

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 13: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 12

1 4 7 Updating and Screening Assessment 2009

The report re-examined pollution sources in the Borough to identify any relevant

areas where it is considered that the Governmentrsquos Air Quality objectives for the

eight pollutants were being exceeded The report identified that for the pollutants

carbon monoxide benzene 13 -butadiene lead sulphur dioxide and particulates

PM10 there is not a significant risk of the objectives being exceeded in the Borough

For Nitrogen Dioxide the Council recently designated a town centre AQMA 5 the

finding from the report confirmed that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective

was widely exceeded within the new AQMA The Council therefore continued to

monitor within the AQMA The report also provided data which enabled the

Council to revoke AQMA 1 for sulphur dioxide (Stewartby) and AQMA 4 for

Nitrogen Dioxide (Great Barford)

1 4 8 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 20092010

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1 4 9 Further Assessment 2010

With the declaration of AQMA 5 in November 2009 a Further Assessment was

submitted in draft format to DEFRA in November 2010 This report focused on

nitrogen dioxide only and followed previous Council air quality reports to aid the Local

Air Quality Management (LAQM) process

New modelling predictions were made for the areas within the Councilrsquos consolidated

AQMA 5 The modelling incorporated a series of improvements over and above that

undertaken previously (including revised emission factors) The report incorporated

the results of further monitoring undertaken by the Council within each of the

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 14: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 13

extended parts of the AQMA investigated The revised modelling predictions

confirmed earlier findings that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective is

exceeded across the AQMA

1 4 10 Air Quality Action Plan 2011

The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced and was submitted to DEFRA in

September 2011 in draft format The Action Plan is in the process of an internal

consultation and will be submitted to Defra as a final report once it has been through

Committee approval The action plan details the measures the Council will take to

improve air quality with the AQMA

1 4 11 Air Quality and Action Plan Progress Report 2011

The Air Quality Progress Report provides an annual update of recent air quality

issues in Bedford as well as a focus on the Councilrsquos progress on reducing air

pollution through its Air Quality Action Plan The more up to date monitoring of

nitrogen dioxide confirmed that the Governmentrsquos air quality annual mean objective

for NO2 is still being exceeded widely at locations within the Town Centre AQMA

The Council will therefore maintain AQMA 5 for this pollutant

1412 Updating and Screening Assessment 2012

The Updating and Screening Assessment identified that from current data the annual

mean objective is widely exceeded through the Borough but all within the Town

Centre AQMA

There are locations along Ampthill Road outside the AQMA where it has been

predicted by other assessments (air quality assessment as part of a planning

application) that the annual mean objective is being exceeded Therefore the Council

has started monitoring in this location to confirm the levels of NO2 at relevant

exposures The results from this will determine whether or not the Council will

proceed to a Detailed Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 15: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 14

1413 Progress Report 2013

The Progress Report has identified that the annual mean objective for NO2 is widely

exceeded throughout the Borough All exceedences are within the town centre

AQMA however there are areas along Ampthill Road where new monitoring has

commenced that has indicated that the AQO may not be met Once the Council has

collated adequate data to establish the levels of NO2 along Ampthill Road then the

Council can then take the necessary action

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 16: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 15

Table 12 Summary of previous review and assessment

1st Round Review and Assessment

2000 USA Pollution levels unlikely to exceed AQ objectives

2nd Round of Review and Assessment

2003 USA Levels of NO2 and SO2 unlikely to meet annual mean objectives

2004 DA Confirmed levels of NO2 and SO2 were exceeding AQ objectives

2005 AQMA Four AQMAs declared

2006 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2007 AQAP Detailed actions the Council would take to improve air quality within the AQMAs

3rd Round Review and Assessment

2006 USA Areas outside the AQMAs that were likely to exceed AQ objectives

2007 DA Confirmed other areas within town centre and outside AQMAs that were exceeding AQ objectives

2008 Consultation process begun on the decision to declare individual AQMAs or one town centre AQMA

2009 AQMA Town centre AQMA 5 declared

2010 FA Confirmed the extent of the AQMA characterised the source of pollution so as to enable effective targeting within the Action Plans

2011 Draft AQAP

Submitted in draft format currently going through consultation process

4th Round Review and Assessment

2009 USA AQ objective widely exceeded but all within AQMA 5

2010 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

2011 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 17: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 16

5th Round Review and Assessment

2012 USA Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2013 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

2014 Progress Report

Confirmed position so far will continue to monitor areas outside the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 18: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 17

Figure 11 Map of AQMA 5

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 19: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 18

2 New Monitoring Data

21 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

211 Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council undertakes continuous monitoring of NO2 at two locations within the

town centre of Bedford

Prebend Street Bedford ndash a site located on one of the busiest streets within

Bedford (operating since December 2008) The monitoring station is located

at the northern end of Prebend Street (figure 21) The monitoring station is

classified as a roadside site with the sample inlet located approximately 35m

from the kerb and 20m high It is also 15m further from the road of the

nearest building facade (It is located at easting 504743 and northing 249880)

Lurke Street Bedford ndash Located on Lurke Street east of High Street (Figure

21) within the town centre of Bedford (operating since May 2010) The

monitoring station is 4m from the kerb 2m high and 1m from the nearest

faccedilade The monitoring station is classified as a roadside site with the sample

inlet located approximately 4m from the kerb and 20m high (It is located at

easting 505041 and northing 249979)

The above sites are representative of relevant exposure Both sites are part of

the Hertfordshire amp Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network and therefore the

standards of QAQC are similar to those of the governmentrsquos AURN sites Regular

calibrations are carried out with subsequent data ratification undertaken by Air

Quality Data Management (AQDM) In all cases the data are fully ratified unless

reported otherwise Details of the sites can be found at httpwwwhertsbedsairnet

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 20: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 19

Figure 21 Locations of Automatic Monitoring Sites for Nitrogen Dioxide

Two continuous monitoring stations for SO2 at two fixed long-term site have now closed due to the closure of Stewartby Brickworks and the subsequent revocation of the AQMA for SO2

Figure 22 Prebend Street monitoring site in Bedford

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 21: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 20

Figure 23 Lurke Street monitoring site in Bedford

The Council also undertakes non-continuous monitoring across its area

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 22: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 21

Table 21 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref

Site

Height (m)

Pollutants Monitored

Monitoring Technique

In AQMA

Relevant Exposure

(YN with distance (m) to relevant

exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

Prebend Street

Roadside

504494

249625

175 NO2 HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(1m) 2m Y

Lurke Street

Roadside 505026 250012

175

NO2

HBAPMN Standard

Y Y(3m) 4m N

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 23: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

212 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

The Council monitor using diffusion tubes at sites across the Borough The

diffusion tubes are currently exposed at 46 locations The sites include roadside

background and rural sites (see Figure 23) The locations include sites within the

AQMA as well outside of the AQMA Twenty monitoring sites were started in 2004

and a further three were added in 2006 The three further sites were located close to

the town centre A further 19 sites were added in the newly revised AQMA 5 Most

of the sites added since 2004 are located close to the faccedilade of existing properties

representing relevant exposure The details of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring

sites are provided in Table 23

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Monitoring using diffusion tubes has advantages over continuous monitoring in

that it is far cheaper and therefore more sites can be established and assessed

The main disadvantage is that the method is less precise and accurate than

continuous monitoring The recommended methods to reduce these errors include the

use of good QAQC practices and bias adjustment factors that are derived from co-

location studies between continuous analysers and diffusion tubes

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 24: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The bias adjustment factors are specific to each year analysing laboratory method of

analysis and location The factors are therefore also limited to the data supplied The

Review and Assessment website advises that ldquoin many cases using an overall

correction factor derived from as many co-location studies as possible will provide the

lsquobest estimatersquo of the lsquotruersquo annual mean concentration it is important to recognise

that there will still be uncertainty associated with this bias adjusted annual mean One

analysis has shown that the uncertainty for tubes bias adjusted in this way is plusmn 20

(at 95 confidence level) This compares with a typical value of plusmn 10 for

chemiluminescence monitors subject to appropriate QAQC proceduresrdquo

The bias adjustment factor for the previous years has been obtained from the

default bias adjustment factors (based on the March 2013 spread sheet derived

from the Governmentrsquos Review and Assessment website) The default factors are

based on statistical analyses of reported data provided by other local authorities

For 2013 24 studies were available and the 2012 factor reported is the most recently

available factor (095)

The default spread sheet for calculating the local bias adjustment factor gave the

overall survey good precision The term ldquoprecisionrdquo indicates how well the diffusion

tubes produce similar results from the duplicate and triplicate studies undertaken The

criterion is somewhat arbitrary and it reflects both the laboratoryrsquos performance in

preparing and analysing the tubes plus the handling of the tubes in the field

YEAR BIAS ADJUSTMENT

FACTOR

2008 094

2009 098

2010 099

2011 089

2012 097

2013 095

Table 22 Bias Adjustment Factors

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 25: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014

The factors (Table 22) indicate the diffusion tube measurements are under

reading for all years compared to continuous measurements The results presented

in Table 23 are the bias adjusted results

Figure 24 Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Note Only town centre diffusion town that are within the AQMA (shaded in pink) are indicated on the

map displayed by bull

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 26: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 25 25

Table 23 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name

Site Type

Location X OS Grid Ref

Y OS Grid Ref

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

(YN)

Is monitoring collocated with a Continuous Analyser (YN)

Relevant Exposure (YN

with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (NA if not applicable)

Does this location

represent worst-case exposure

5 R Bromham Road

Bedford 503819 250060 NO2 N N N 1m N

7 RUB Bunyan Road

Kempston 503173 247720 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m Y

10 RUB Kirkstall Close 505444 247029 NO2 N N Y (6m) 2m N

12 S The Lane Wyboston 516346 256594

NO2 N N Y (4m) 2m N

13 S Gt Nth Road (A1) South 516426 256559

NO2 N N N 1m Y

14 R River Street 504857 249652 NO2 N N Y (3m) 1m N

15 R Woburn Road

Kempston 502846 247401 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

16 R Kempston Road

Bedford 504585 249003 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 1m Y

17 R Ampthill Road

Bedford 504783 248711 NO2 Y N N 2m N

19 R Kimbolton Road

Bedford 505551 250584 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

20 K Prebend Street

Bedford 504486 249616 NO2 N N N 1m Y

21 R Gt Nth Road

(A1) North 516379 256411 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

25 R London Road

crossroad 505389 248858 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 27: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 26 26

27 R High St

ladbrooks 505048 249634 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

28 R Prebend St

commercial Rd 504576 249501 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

29 R Goldington Road

opp uni 506630 250274 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

30 K High St Collins

jewellers 505020 250044 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

31 R High St

Ludington 505060 249766 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

33 R Shakespeare

Road 504100 250142 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

34 R High St kings

arms PH 505073 249597 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m N

35 R Prebend St new

residential 504599 249432 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

36 R Ashburnham

Road 504263 249751 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

40 R Tavistock St 504776 250254 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

42 R High St opp old

BT building 505143 249299 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

43 R Dame Alice St 504913 250038 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

44 R Midland Road- No 137139A 505412 249630

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m Y

46 K Midland Rd-

outside Beegees 504635 249724 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

47 K Harpur St opp

51A 504894 250049 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 1m Y

48 K Sound Vision Tavistock St 504903 250199

NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m Y

50 R Outside Seven

OakSt Peters St 505190 250075 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 28: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 27 27

53 K Longstaff Gentle

Harpur St 504907 250084 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 1m Y

54 K Outside 63 Union St 504505 250361

NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

55 R Opp UampR

Bromham Rd 504475 250123 NO2 Y N Y (4m) 2m N

57 K Outside 110

Newnham Av 506626 250226 NO2 Y N Y (3m) 2m N

59 R Outside 117

Newnham Av 506633 250206 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

61 K Outside 185

Goldington Rd 506542 250296 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

62 R Outside 139

Goldington Rd 506390 250243 NO2 Y Y Y (1m) 3m Y

65 R Outside no 43

London Rd 505438 248793 NO2 Y N Y (2m) 2m Y

66 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

67 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

68 R Monitoring

station 504495 249622 NO2 Y N N 2m Y

69 R River St opp

Chinese 504739 249656 NO2 Y N Y (1m) 1m Y

70 R Outside bus

station 504705 249830 NO2 Y N N 1m Y

71 R 174176 Ampthill

Rd Bedford 504631 248158 NO2 N N Y (2m) 2m Y

72 K 150 Ampthill Rd

Bedford 504653 248232 NO2 N N Y (5m) 1m Y

73 R 108 Ampthill

Road Bedford 504693 248387 NO2 N N Y (2m) 3m Y

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 29: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 28

22 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives

QAQC controls have been applied to both the automatic and non-automatic

monitoring data to ensure confidence can be applied to the results This is especially

important to the non-automatic sites due to the inherent uncertainty of the diffusion

tubes These controls are displayed in Appendix A

The measured concentrations have then been compared to the air quality objectives

to assess the likelihood of the objectives being exceeded where relative exposure

exists The result of the air quality objective being breached will lead to the Council

proceeding to a detailed Assessment

221 Nitrogen Dioxide

Both the annual mean for NO2 and the hourly mean objectives have been compared

within this assessment A town centre AQMA for NO2 was declared in 2009 so the

assessment has focussed on those areas outside the AQMA where there may be

exceedences and locations within the AQMA where the hourly mean is or is likely to

exceed

222 Automatic Monitoring Data

Lurke Street monitoring station provided very good data capture for 2013 achieving

953 ensuring confidence in the data when comparing to the air quality objectives

and above the recommended 90 However following some technical issues with

Prebend Street monitoring station a data capture of 762 was achieved

The annual mean concentration for Prebend Street was 35ugm3 a decrease from

2012 at 38ugm3 again not exceeding the annual mean objective The maximum

hourly mean concentration was 126ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded

The station does represent relevant exposure and is within the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 30: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 29

The annual mean concentration for Lurke Street was 38ugm3 a decrease from 2012

at 40ugm3 and breaching the annual mean objective The maximum hourly mean

concentration was 170ugm3 so the hourly objective was not exceeded The station

does not represent relevant exposure but is still within the AQMA Although the

monitoring station is located just off the High Street is does not represent the worst

case exposure as the location is quite open unlike the rest of the High Street where

diffusion tubes have found exceedences with the AQO The High street represents a

narrow road and in some places concentrations will be subject to the canyon effect

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 31: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 304

Table 24 Results of Automatic Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA Valid Data Capture

2012 Valid Data Capture for

2013

Annual Mean Concentration gm3

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762 38 35

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951 40 38

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 32: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 314

Figure 25 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Prebend Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 33: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 324

Figure 26 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Site Lurke Street

ANNUAL MEAN OBJECTIVE 40ugm

3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 34: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 334

Table 25 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide Comparison with 1-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within AQMA Valid Data Capture

for 2012 Valid Data Capture

2013

Number of Exceedences of Hourly Mean

(200 gm3)

2012 2013

Prebend Street

Roadside Y 953 762

0 0

Lurke Street

Roadside Y 985 951

0 0

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 35: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 34

223 Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

The diffusion tube data displayed in table 26 have all been bias adjusted using the

national bias adjustment factor retrieved from the Defra Spread sheet (Appendix A)

Data has also been included from 2009 all of which has been bias adjusted 5 years

of data is considered the minimum necessary to identify any trends in the results

Those locations that are exceeding the annual mean objective are highlighted in bold

in the table 26

Tubes 71 72 and 73 have been in place since May 2012 They were located

following the results of an air quality assessment as part of an Environmental Impact

Assessment for a mixed use development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large

food retail store petrol station and associated parking with outline permission being

sought for a DIY storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and

B1 commercial units

The report predicted NO2 concentrations for 2012 to exceed the annual mean

objective Diffusion tubes were located to assess the likelihood of the air quality

objective being breached Following a full data set and a data capture greater gt90

the new locations are currently meeting the annual mean objective in 2013

The diffusion tube data (table 26) shows that there are 14 exceedences in 2013

against the annual mean objective apart from one (site 21) which does not represent

relevant exposure are all within the AQMA

There are no locations where the annual mean is greater than 60ugm3 The site with

the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend Street) where the

annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The locations are also all within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being produced which will detail

the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the whole

of the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 36: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 35

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 37: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 36

Table 26 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes from 2009 - 2013

Site ID

Site Type Within

AQMA

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) gm3

2009 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 098)

2010 (Bias Adjustment Factor = 099 )

2011 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 089)

2012 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 097)

2013 (Bias Adjustment

Factor = 095

Data Capture

for 2012

5 R N 31 29 31 30 31 75

7 RUB N 30 26 30 32 29 83

10 S N 26 23 28 27 28 100

12 S N 24 24 25 25 23 100

13 R N 25 16 32 36 31 100

14 RUB Y 35 32 34 37 33 92

15 R N 30 26 28 27 26 100

16 R Y 30 31 34 32 28 100

17 R Y 40 39 37 42 34 100

19 K Y 31 30 33 33 29 100

20 R Y 59 54 62 68 57 100

21 R N 44 42 50 47 45 92

25 R Y 47 43 43 52 43 100

27 R Y 58 48 60 62 48 100

28 R Y 43 41 39 42 41 67

29 R Y 43 39 42 42 39 100

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 38: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 37

30 R Y 50 46 52 56 50 100

31 R Y 52 49 52 55 49 100

33 R Y 48 51 51 51 49 92

34 R Y 51 49 50 54 48 100

35 K Y 44 40 41 43 39 75

36 R Y 42 41 40 46 39 92

40 R Y 30 30 34 32 30 83

42 R Y 45 44 48 46 44 92

43 K Y 44 44 46 45 43 100

44 K Y 41 42 44 48 41 92

46 K Y 42 40 44 42 39 92

47 R Y 33 34 33 34 34 92

48 K Y 48 45 46 49 40 83

50 K Y 50 48 64 65 51 100

53 R Y 46 41 41 42 38 100

54 K Y 41 38 46 53 39 92

55 R Y 42 40 37 39 36 100

57 K Y 37 32 40 38 35 100

59 R Y 41 40 44 44 39 100

61 R Y 35 33 45 45 37 67

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 39: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 38

62 R Y 35 33 34 36 33 100

65 R Y 35 34 40 42 34 92

66 R Y 38 42 42 38 92

67 R Y 39 41 42 37 100

68 R Y 37 43 42 36 100

69 R Y 38 43 37 92

70 RUB Y 38 42 35 92

71 R N 35 37 83

72 R N 40 36 75

73 R N 44 39 92

Note Those in bold indicate a breach of the annual mean objective Underlined annual mean gt 60microgm3 indicating a potential exceedence of the NO2 hourly mean AQS

objective

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 40: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 39

Figure 27 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites

ANNUAL MEAN

OBJECTIVE 40ugm3

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 41: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 40

Figure 27 shows the trends in annual mean NO2 concentrations measured at

diffusion tube monitoring sites across the Borough The graph shows that the highest

concentrations were measured at Site 20 (Prebend Street) 27 (High Street) and 50

(St Peters Street)

Table 23 shows the data capture of the diffusion tubes from January ndash December

2013 The data capture for the majority of sites was very good and for 86 of the

sites achieved a data capture of greater than 90 which is recommended by Defra

Data capture below 75 should not be used only two of the sites were below the

75 data capture site 28 (Prebend Street) and site 61 (Goldington Road) Both sites

are in close proximity to additional diffusion tubes so data from these sites can still be

used

The diffusion tube results show an upward trend in NO2 concentrations from 2009 to

2012 Although 2010 showed slight decrease there is a noticeable rise in levels from

2009 to 2012 in monitored levels In 2013 all sites show a noticeable decrease in

concentrations With only 29 of the sites exceeding the annual mean objective

compared to 65 of sites exceeding the objective in 2012

This trend is mirrored in the automatic monitoring results with both stations

decreasing in 2013 in both the annual mean concentrations and maximum hourly

mean

224 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

The annual mean objective for NO2 is exceeded within Bedfordrsquos AQMA 5 However

noticeable improvements in concentrations are evident from 2012 ndash 2013 Only 29

of the monitoring locations are exceeding the annual mean objective compared to

65 in 2012 showing huge improvements in the local air quality This is also

reflected in the continuous monitoring stations where both stations have measured a

decrease both in the annual mean objective and maximum hourly mean There is

only one exceedence of the annual mean objective that is outside the AQMA This

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 42: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 41

site (Site ID 21) is located on the A1 and does not represent relevant exposure No

other exceedences exist outside the AQMA

Following the 2012 Progress Report the Council advised some concerns regarding

the proposed development of mixed use along Ampthill Road Following another year

of monitoring the annual mean objective is still being met along Ampthill Road Only

part of the large mixed use development has currently been completed so the

Council will continue to monitor to assess the impact following the completion of the

full development

There were no locations in 2013 where the annual mean objective exceeded

60ugm3 The site with the highest annual mean concentration was site 20 (Prebend

Street) where the annual mean objective was 57ugm3 The site is within the AQMA

where an Air Quality Action Plan is in the process of being implemented which will

detail the ways in which measures will be brought in to improve air quality across the

whole of the AQMA The Council plan to hold off implementing the AQAP fully until

the completion of the development on Ampthill Road This will ensure that any

exceedence in the annual mean objective which would lead to the expansion of the

existing AQMA 5 can be incorporated into the amended AQAP

In the majority of locations there is evidence of an improvement in the concentration

of the annual mean for NO2 for 2013 The Council will need to closely monitor this to

establish whether it is a long terms improvement or not There are still areas where

the annual mean objective is not being met so following the completion of the

development on Ampthill Road and any necessary amendments to the AQMA the

AQAP can be implements to put in place measures to improve the air quality further

across the Borough

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 43: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 42

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within the

town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for 2013

have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a full data set

along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean objective is being

met Only part of the proposed new development has been completed therefore the

Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Following the completion of the development along Ampthill Road and additional

expansion if required of AQMA 5 the Air Quality Action Plan will then be

implemented The AQAP will detail the measures the Council and its stakeholders

are taking to bring about improvements in air quality across the AQMA

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 44: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 43

3 New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road comprising of a large food retail store petrol

station and associated parking with outline permission being sought for a DIY

storegarden centre a large goods store a hotel 140 dwellings and B1 commercial

units Ampthill Road is a truck road linking the south of Bedford to the Town Centre

At present only part of the road is within the AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality

assessment provided with the planning application for the mixed use development

predicted air quality concentrations to exceed the annual mean objective for NO2

both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road The Council now

has a full data set and current levels have identified that the annual mean objective

for NO2 is currently being met The development is only half way through construction

so the Council will continue to closely monitor levels If exceedences are measured

then AQMA 5 will need to be expanded

31 Road Traffic Sources

As discussed above in September 2012 planning permission was granted for a large

mix development which includes four new signalised road junctions onto Ampthill

Road The development will impact on Ampthill Road and therefore additional

monitoring has been completed Current levels indicate that the annual mean

objectives for NO2 is being met however the council will continue to monitor to

establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 45: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 44

32 Industrial Sources

The large mixed development that was granted planning permission in September

2012 included a Petrol Filling Station The station is located away from any relative

receptors and is now Permitted under the Environment Permitted (England and

Wales) (Amended) Regulations 2010 for both Stage 1b and Stage II Vapour

Recovery

33 Commercial and Domestic Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

34 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

There has been no change since the last Updating and Screening Assessment in

2012

Bedford Borough Council has identified the following new local development which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area Large mixed development Ampthill Road This will be taken into consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development has been completed

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 46: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 45

4 Local Regional Air Quality Strategy

In the latest Governmentrsquos latest LAQM policy guidance (PG (09)) it is recommended

that local authorities develop a local air quality strategy to provide overarching

principles The Council produced its own Air Quality Strategy in 1998 and was one of

the first local authorities to adopt a strategy Thus the strategy established an early

commitment by the Council to undertaking air quality monitoring and providing

information to the public

The Council is currently considering updating this strategy The strategy will set out

the general principles of seeking methods to minimise emissions and linking with

neighbouring local authorities residents organisations and businesses to achieve

both consistency and an integrated approach to air quality This includes taking air

quality into account as a material consideration when assessing planning

applications and applying legislative controls to minimise pollution Thus the strategy

will set out a commitment to seek to improve air quality that is taken forward in the

Action Plan

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 47: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 46

5 Planning Applications

The planning application discussed above is the only application that has been

granted planning permission that may have an impact upon air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 48: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 47

6 Air Quality Planning Policies

Planning systems play a pivotal role in shaping and protecting the quality of our

urban and rural areas thus making a central contribution to our well-being and quality

of life by creating opportunities for development conserving environmental quality

achieving sustainable development promoting public participation and helping to

protect the rights of the individual

The Bedford Development Framework (BDF) is a series of documents that deliver the

spatial planning strategy for Bedford replacing the Local Plan over time These

documents set out the Councilrsquos policies for meeting the communityrsquos economic

environmental and social aims for the future where they affect the development and

use of land The preparation of the BDF is a continual process with documents being

prepared and reviewed in turn to ensure that they are up to date

In the shorter term and on its own it the planning system will not solve Bedfordrsquos air

quality problems However it does provide a vital part in achieving future sustainable

development as well as conserving existing environmental quality

The BDF will guide planning and development in Bedford to 2021 The BDF is a

portfolio of planning documents which deliver the spatial development strategy for

the Borough and builds upon existing local and regional strategies and initiatives in

particular the above-mentioned Sustainable Community Strategy A key document is

the Bedford Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan Development Plan Document

adopted by the Council on the 16th April 2008 which was one of the first documents

produced as part of the BDF

The purpose of the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan is to set out the long term

spatial vision for the Borough plus the spatial objectives and policies needed to

deliver the vision In summary the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan aims to

assess

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 49: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 48

bull Where we are now

bull Where we want to be by 2021

bull How we can get there

The Council also prepared a Local Development Scheme (LDS) in 2009 This

scheme is a public statement that sets out the programme for the production of Local

Development Documents (LDDs) The Council is now only required to include

Development Plan Documents within the LDS which means for example that

Supplementary Planning Documents and their production timetable no longer need to

be identified

The Bedford LDS currently consists of the following adopted documents

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) - this sets out how the community will be

involved in and consulted on the preparation of LDDs and major planning

applications The Council must follow the approach outlined in the adopted SCI in the

preparation of any subsequent documents and in relation to consultation on major

planning applications The Council is no longer examined on the preparation of a

SCI Although the SCI will be updated to take account of changes to the planning

system this is not a priority as the consultation principles contained within the

adopted document are still sound

Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan

The Bedford Town Centre Area Action Plan provides a policy framework to control

and facilitate the renaissance of the town centre which is the location of the AQMA

The plan was prepared following consultations on the issues that the plan should

address plus a consideration of possible options The Councilrsquos preferred option plan

and the submission version reflect the outcome of the independent examination

process

As part of the plan preparation several studies were appraised to assess the relative

economic performance of the town over the past few years Many key findings were

made and these included the comment that transportation links through central

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 50: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 49

Bedford are weak and congested during peak hours As the Councilrsquos Air Quality

reports have highlighted this has led to poor air quality that exceeds the

Governmentrsquos Air Quality Strategy objectives

Following on from the corporate vision statement the plan includes policies and

proposals which cover five main themes

bull A more competitive retail and commercially active centre

bull A more structured and distinctive centre

bull A better connected and more accessible centre

bull A more liveable and attractive centre

bull A well-managed centre

Key proposals based on these themes include

Provision for additional retail and commercial floor space within the town

centre with the main focus being Bedford Town Centre West

Encouraging retail reinvestment in the existing centre and the High Street in

particular

Redevelopment of 9 key town centre sites

The plan also envisages a range of different measures to improve access to the town

centre including improvements to the existing highway network a new river crossing

at Batts Ford new public transport interchanges and enhanced walking and cycling

routes For town centre public car parks the management will favour short stay users

rather than long stay users plus park and ride services will be extended The re-

population of the town centre is intended through the provision of new housing sites

In addition the plan also aims to protect the townrsquos heritage promote tourism

achieve high quality design along the river corridor conserve biodiversity create new

public spaces and improve the quality of new shop fronts and advertisements Finally

the plan includes policies on town centre management and amenity

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 51: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 50

Sustainable Development in Bedford

Bedford Borough Councilrsquos approach to sustainability is framed within the context of

the Sustainable Community Strategy (which superseded LA21) and the Climate

Change Strategy The Council is committed to building a better quality of life for

everyone within the Borough As part of this commitment the Council sees

sustainable development as key to the whole process of ensuring a healthy

environment vibrant economy and social justice for all for now and for generations

to come

To achieve a better quality of life for everyone now and in the future while protecting

and where possible enhancing the environment an integrated approach to deliver

social progress and economic growth and maintain the quality of our natural

environment is required

The Council interprets Sustainable Development as lsquodevelopment that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their own needsrsquo (from Brundtland 1987)

From its Sustainable Development policy (adopted in July 2010) the Council will seek

in the delivery of its services to

Continually improve its environmental performance by involving staff in

reducing resource consumption within Council activities

Integrate the principles of sustainable development within its policies and

strategies

Purchase goods and services locally which have a reduced environmental

impact and are from an ethical source such as Fair Trade wherever possible

Promote greener travel behaviours and encourage the use of more

sustainable modes of transport (cycle walk use public transport) within the

Council and the wider community

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 52: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 51

Promote and encourage energy efficiency and waste minimisation reuse and

recycling and general resource efficiency to the community

Ensure that levels of environmental pollution are kept to a minimum and where

possible encourage improvement in the general standard of the quality of the

environment

Protect the diversity of nature through delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan

Use the Council Planning Policy process to work with existing communities

and developers to achieve sustainable communities

Comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations

Ensure suppliers and contractors are aware of and support this Policy

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 53: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 52

7 Local Transport Plans and Strategies

On 1st April 2011 Bedfordrsquos first Local Transport Plan (LTP3) replaced LTP2 (2006-

2011) which covered the whole county of Bedfordshire The new plan commenced

from April 2011 having been prepared with partners and stakeholders and consulted

on during the previous twelve months It is a long-term strategy that looks ahead to

2021 However as the LTP3 will run until 2021 we will need to review and adapt it on

a regular basis to ensure that it continues to address relevant issues and change

We will continue to involve our partners and stakeholders in its further development

and in the implementation plan

The LTP3 sets out the transport aims and ambitions for Bedford Borough and

identifies the key strategies schemes and initiatives necessary to deliver corporate

and local outcomes It will be delivered through shorter delivery plans based on local

priorities and funding availability and is made up of two key elements

An overall Strategy document

An Implementation Plan which combines the actions from 8 key strategies into short

medium and long-term delivery plans

The objectives of the LTP recognise the transport challenges faced The local

development of these from the national transport goals has ensured that the local

issues and priorities of Bedford Boroughrsquos residents and businesses were included

Road transport has been identified as the principal source of NOx within the Bedford

AQMA It is important that this Air Quality Action Plan supports and considers the

LTP3 and vice versa Therefore integration of the Action Plan with the LTP3 is

considered essential and this represents a strategic and integrated approach to local

air quality management as it presents a key platform for delivering initiatives aimed

at improving local air quality

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 54: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 53

8 Climate Change Strategies

The Council is committed to playing its part at a local level to encourage actions to

tackle climate change and has taken an important step forward in combating the

causes and effects of climate change with the production of a Climate Change

Strategy In support of this programme the Council became a signatory to the

Nottingham Declaration in September 2007 The strategy sets out the Councilrsquos aim

of mitigating climate change by reducing the carbon emissions in the Borough and

reducing the risk of climate change for the Borough by adapting to the possible

impacts Its objectives are to

Reduce the carbon emissions from the Councilrsquos buildings and vehicle fleet

Develop and promote measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

resulting from transport in the Borough

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste sent to landfill

Educate and support the residents and businesses of the Borough to mitigate

and adapt to climate change

Prepare to adapt the Councilrsquos services to the possible impacts of climate

change

The Strategy should be seen as a flexible framework document and it will be

reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current Reports on progress against actions

and key targets are reviewed by the Councilrsquos Management Team and presented to

the Sustainability Committee and Executive

Allied to this in May 2010 the Council was selected to participate in the Carbon

Trustrsquos Local Authority Carbon Management Programme to deliver a Carbon

Management Plan This Plan takes a systematic approach to reducing the Councilrsquos

greenhouse gas emissions over the next five years and beyond The Council is

committed to reducing our 200910 carbon emissions by 40 by March 2015 in total

the Council will save an estimated 39867 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pound7959619

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 55: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 54

9 Implementation of Action Plans

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

In addition to this a large mixed used development has recently been granted

planning permission along Ampthill Road The air quality assessment submitted with

the application predicted levels of NO2 to exceed the Government Objective along

Ampthill Road both at present and with the development in place As such additional

monitoring is being carried out along Ampthill Road to establish if the annual mean

objective is likely to be exceeded

Current levels indicate that the annual mean objective for NO2 is being met however

the Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full development

has been completed The Council will then take the necessary action This may be to

proceed to a Detailed Assessment Where necessary AQMA 5 can then be

expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the Action Plan can then be

revised to include Ampthill Road

The Council believe that waiting to include measures within the Action Plan to offset

any impact the development along Ampthill Road will have a greater bearing at

achieving the necessary measures identified Having one Action Plan in place for

AQMA 5 will ensure that the necessary support and commitment is made by the

Council and their stakeholders in improving air quality across the town centre

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

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Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 55

10 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

101 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

Monitoring commenced along parts of Ampthill Road in May 2012 following

indications that the annual mean objective for NO2 may be exceeded outside the

AQMA

The Council has now collated a full data set along Ampthill Road current levels

indicate that the annually mean objective is being met Only part of the proposed new

development has been completed therefore the Council will continue to closely

monitor levels along the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

102 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments

In September 2012 the Council granted planning permission for a large mixed use

development along Ampthill Road At present only part of the road is within the

AQMA (Figure 12) The air quality assessment provided with the planning

application for the mixed use development predicted air quality concentrations to

exceed the annual mean objective for NO2 both with and without the development

In May 2012 the Council started monitoring along Ampthill Road to identify if the

annual mean for NO2 was likely to be exceeded The new mixed development that

was granted planning permission back in September 2012 is currently being

constructed The current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean

objective for NO2 is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along the road

and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 57: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 56

103 Other Conclusions

A draft Air Quality Action Plan was submitted to Defra in November 2011 with a view

of submitting the final Action Plan following a full consultation and approval of Council

Members at Bedford Borough Council At present the Action Plan is yet to be

implemented as the Council are awaiting confirmation of areas along Ampthill Road

where levels of NO2 may be above Government Standards

Current levels along Ampthill Road show that the annual mean objective is currently

being met The Council will continue to monitor to establish the impact once the full

development has been completed and then the Council can then take the necessary

action This may be to proceed to a Detailed Assessment using the conclusions from

the air quality consultants modelling compared to the Council monitoring Following

this the AQMA can then be expanded to encompass all areas of exceedence and the

Action Plan can then be revised to include Ampthill Road

Following the submission of this Progress Report the Council will proceed to Detailed

Assessment where necessary

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 58: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

104 Proposed Actions

Bedford Borough Council has identified that from current data the annual mean

objective for NO2 is exceeded across the Borough All exceedences are within

the town centre AQMA in comparison to previous years the concentrations for

2013 have shown a significant improvement The Council has now collated a

full data set along Ampthill Road current levels indicate that the annually mean

objective is being met Only part of the proposed new development has been

completed therefore the Council will continue to closely monitor levels along

the road and proceed to Detailed Assessment where necessary

Therefore the Council will continue to monitor in this location to confirm the

levels of NO2 at relevant receptors The results from this will determine

whether or not the Council will proceed to a Detailed Assessment

This Progress Report has identified no other areas for any of the other

pollutants that are exceeding or are likely to exceed the air quality objective

Therefore the Council will undertake the following actions

1 To maintain the monitoring throughout the Borough and maintain the Town Centre AQMA for NO2

2 To continue monitoring along Ampthill Road to confirm whether the

annual mean for NO2 is likely to be exceeded once the development

has been completed

3 To proceed to Detailed Assessment if required following completion of

the development along Ampthill Road

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 59: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

4 To expand AQMA 5 following submission of a Detailed Assessment if a

breach of the AQO is confirmed

5 To revise and put into place the Air Quality Action Plan when required

6 Prepare for the submission of its 2015 Updating and Screening Assessment

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 60: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 59

11 References

1 Part IV of Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) Defra February 2009

2 The Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (Statutory Instrument 2000 No 928) March 2000

3 The Air Quality Strategy for England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 Volume 1 and 2 ISBN 978-0-171692-5

4 The Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002 ISBN 0 11061468 2

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 61: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 60

Appendices

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 62: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 61

Appendix A QAQC Data National Bias Adjustment Calculation

Analysed By

Method Year Site Type

Local Authority Length

of Study (months)

Diffusion Tube Mean Conc (Dm)

(gm3)

Automatic Monitor

Mean Conc

(Cm) (gm3)

Bias (B) Tube

Precision

Bias Adjustment Factor (A) (CmDm)

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Cheshire West and Chester 12 39 41 -44 G 105

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 38 31 231 G 081

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 UB Dudley MBC 10 25 25 -17 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 11 41 39 54 G 095

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R East Herts Council 10 35 30 194 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 9 34 34 20 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Fareham Borough Council 12 42 45 -62 G 107

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 34 37 -87 G 110

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 11 35 33 63 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gateshead Council 10 33 32 21 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R BC of Kings Lynn amp W Norfolk 12 29 26 125 G 089

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Gedling Borough Council 10 37 35 72 G 093

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R The Highland Council 12 24 21 141 G 088

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Dudley MBC 12 52 59 -120 P 114

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 12 43 44 -22 G 102

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 10 41 39 64 G 094

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL 11 43 42 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 62 60 19 G 098

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 11 41 30 375 G 073

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 KS Marylebone Rd Intercomparison 12 101 81 258 G 080

Gradko 20 TEA in Water 2013 R Brighton amp Hove City Council 9 54 45 196 G 084

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 40 36 101 G 091

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 11 41 37 116 G 090

Gradko 20 TEA in water 2013 R Wiltshire Council 12 39 49 -200 G 125

Overall Factor (24 studies) Use 095

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 63: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 62

Unbiased Diffusion Tube Results for 2013

Site ID

Class jan

ugm3

feb ugm

3

mar ugm

3

apr ugm

3

may ugm

3

jun ugm

3

jul ugm

3

aug ugm

3

sept ugm

3

oct ugm

3

nov ugm

3

dec ugm

3

Annual Mean

(unbiased)

5 R 38 32 27 24 26 24 26 34 61 32

7 RUB 34 29 23 25 23 22 25 45 45 35 31

10 RUB 44 31 24 27 25 22 20 24 29 32 42 33 29

12 S 29 30 28 24 22 19 23 22 25 25 31 15 24

13 S 42 33 23 28 29 23 23 31 38 29 52 40 33

14 R 40 39 33 32 32 28 32 37 36 38 36 35

15 R 32 32 27 29 22 19 22 23 29 28 36 33 28

16 R 38 35 33 29 27 23 24 22 24 30 37 34 30

17 R 48 48 43 40 17 34 38 29 19 31 46 31 35

19 R 40 35 25 27 25 22 24 28 34 30 36 37 30

20 K 64 65 42 52 61 43 59 64 75 51 93 53 60

21 R 51 49 59 40 41 32 40 44 46 51 70 48

25 R 45 46 33 48 47 34 38 47 55 44 57 52 46

27 R 54 47 40 44 55 40 50 50 60 29 78 65 51

28 R 49 49 39 41 41 40 48 36 43

29 R 48 44 34 36 34 31 37 42 45 43 44 49 41

30 K 47 69 38 43 55 40 38 47 58 51 82 63 53

31 R 57 45 44 42 57 39 51 47 52 56 74 51 51

33 R 55 71 41 54 51 38 57 51 45 47 52 51

34 R 56 50 50 53 49 42 60 39 51 46 66 46 51

35 R 39 40 41 30 31 48 40 51 49 41

36 R 49 46 40 40 41 34 41 38 39 53 32 41

40 R 41 39 27 23 21 22 26 36 31 54 32

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 64: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 63

42 R 52 52 44 38 46 37 41 42 51 46 55 46

43 R 56 48 50 40 40 37 41 34 46 45 57 53 46

44 R 47 49 43 39 44 39 39 47 44 47 41 44

46 K 49 46 40 41 41 33 35 36 45 43 46 41

47 K 39 37 36 31 31 27 27 35 34 42 49 35

48 K 49 42 41 36 36 40 36 50 44 51 43

50 R 59 50 44 54 57 41 46 47 62 61 55 66 54

53 K 49 46 40 37 39 26 38 42 44 40 46 37 40

54 K 47 38 39 37 40 40 35 39 47 48 36 41

55 R 48 45 43 31 36 30 34 37 43 41 13 49 38

57 K 45 40 33 34 33 27 34 31 39 32 52 39 37

59 R 46 48 44 36 36 38 33 35 40 44 49 46 41

61 K 46 37 33 36 34 41 38 48 39

62 R 48 44 30 30 28 23 27 29 34 37 46 38 35

65 R 39 49 31 23 36 29 30 31 38 32 51 35

66 R 46 46 37 37 36 31 33 40 44 37 49 41 40

67 R 44 40 35 36 38 33 33 33 45 38 51 45 39

68 R 46 42 36 32 37 33 36 34 46 40 35 41 38

69 R 48 44 35 33 38 33 35 35 41 38 51 39

70 R 48 44 32 35 35 32 30 35 37 32 41 36

71 R 48 43 44 36 38 29 35 32 42 45 39

72 R 44 45 35 34 39 33 21 46 40 37

73 R 54 48 35 42 37 29 32 40 43 31 64 41

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL

Page 65: Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Microsoft · 2018-02-14 · LAQM Progress Report 2014 10 since the second round of Review and Assessment which could threaten air quality elsewhere

Bedford Borough Council

LAQM Progress Report 2014 64

QAQC of automatic monitoring

Bedford Borough Council has a service and maintenance contract for both monitoring

stations with by Supporting U which includes 2 scheduled on-site services per

annum they are also responsible for fortnightly calibrations We also have a 48hour

call out for any problems that may occur

QAQC of diffusion tube monitoring

The diffusion tubes used are analysed by Gradko International using a preparation

method of 20 TEA in water In the most recent round of Annual Performance

Criteria for NO2 Diffusion Tubes used in LAQM the laboratory demonstrated good

performance in a QAQC scheme for analysis of NO2 diffusion tubes Gradko

International participates in the Workplace Analysis Scheme for Proficiency

(WASP) which is an independent analytical performance testing scheme The

scheme is an important QAQC exercise for laboratories supplying diffusion tubes

to Local Authorities for use in the context of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM)

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) operate the WASP scheme

independently and the cost of operation is borne by the laboratories which pay an

annual fee to HSL


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