AIR quality in Lutterworth has improved for the third year running – helped by coronavirus lockdowns.
The Air Quality Annual Status Report 2021, published by Harborough District Council (HDC), shows that levels of nitrogen dioxide in the town’s Air Quality Management Area did not exceed the annual mean air quality objective in 2018, 2019 or 2020.
Fewer vehicles on the road due to national coronavirus lockdowns has been a cited as a contributing factor for the continuing lower pollution levels in the last year.
Other factors include the HGV gating system, which allows a greater free flow of lorries through Lutterworth by controlling the traffic light sequencing.
Two Air Quality Management Areas have been declared in the district – in Lutterworth in 2001, and in the Kibworths in 2017 – due to levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeding the air quality objective.
None of the council’s 34 air quality monitoring diffusion tubes across the district have exceeded the air quality objectives – with lockdowns again a key factor.
HDC’s air quality spokesman Coun Jonathan Bateman said: “This report is further good news for Lutterworth, and the wider district, and it is clear that national lockdowns have contributed.
“However, it is crucial we continue to do all we can to improve air quality to maintain a cleaner and greener Harborough district, as a Council and as individuals. Our Lutterworth Town Centre Masterplan looks to maximise opportunities to create more cycle facilities, improve public transport links and install more electric vehicle charge points which could have a positive impact on air quality in the future.”
The Council said further monitoring would be required for a number of years before it has sufficient evidence to revoke the Air Quality Management Area in Lutterworth.
Councillors considered the Annual Status Report, based on air quality data from 2020, at a Harborough District Council Cabinet meeting on 11 October 2021.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/asrp5mar to view the Cabinet report.
Visit www.harborough.gov.uk/airquality for more information about air quality in the Harborough district, including live air quality updates.
