Air quality action plan

Following declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) we have developed a final Air Quality Action Plan. Because the main source of pollution in the AQMA is from motor vehicles, the final action plan has been integrated into the final Local Transport Plan (LTP) for 2006-2011.

It considers the development of cost-effective measures that could be implemented to reduce pollution levels in central Oxford.

Air Quality is one of five shared priorities within the LTP:

• tackling congestion
• delivering accessibility
• safer roads
• better air quality
• improving the street environment

Measures to improve air quality have to be considered against:

• all the shared priorities
• how much we predict they can improve air quality
• what they cost to implement

Possible measures to improve air quality within the LTP have been grouped under four broad categories, as measures that:

• reduce vehicle emissions
• promote changes in travel behaviour
• are transport management measures, such as loading or parking controls
• involve changes to the road network

Measures that directly reduce vehicle emissions have been shown to have the greatest potential for improving air quality.

Direct measures to reduce existing vehicle emissions include:

• improving the percentage of newer cleaner vehicles in the vehicle fleets by voluntary partnership agreements
• limiting access in central areas only to cleaner vehicles by establishing a low emission zone (LEZ)
• improving existing flows, by reducing congestion
• reducing total flows and relieving congestion

Indirect measures to reduce vehicle emissions may include

• reducing on street parking
• reducing travel by private vehicles

The final action plan and LTP includes an air quality target, which provides a basis for assessing potential measures within agreed timescales.

Further reports that consider the options for improving air quality in more detail will be issued in due course.

Page last reviewed 26 Feb 2008