2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR)

Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

LAQM Annual Status Report 2020

2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management July 2020


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020

Local Authority Officer

Roger Newman, Environmental Protection Officer

Gerard McCormack, Environmental Protection Team Leader

Department Environment and Streetscene

Address Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2EB

Telephone 03458 506506

E-mail [email protected] [email protected]

Report Reference number

Wakefield ASR 2020

Date July 2020

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 i

Executive Summary: Air Quality in Our Area

Air Quality in the Wakefield District

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as

a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution

particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those

with heart and lung conditions. There is also often a strong correlation with equalities

issues, because areas with poor air quality are also often the less affluent areas1,2.

The annual health cost to society of the impacts of particulate matter alone in the UK

is estimated to be around £16 billion3.

The main air quality issue in the Wakefield district is the level of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

near to the busiest roads, in town and city centres and other localised hot-spots for

example where people live near busy road junctions. Ten Air Quality Management

Areas (AQMAs) have been declared in the Wakefield District under the Environment

Act 1995 which introduced the requirement on local authorities to review and assess

air quality within their district. AQMAs have been declared in some parts of the

Wakefield district where measured concentrations of NO2 have exceeded the annual

mean Air Quality Objective Level (AQOL) of 40µgm3 as set out in the Air Quality

(England) Regulations 2010 (as amended). In each case where an AQMA has been

declared, local road traffic has been the primary source of the air pollution. The

AQMAs in the district and the date of declaration are shown below:

M1 Motorway (2004) Pontefract Town Centre (2007)

M62 Motorway (2006) Knottingley Town Centre (2007)

A1 Trunk Road (2004) Featherstone Junction (2007)

Wakefield City (2006) Ackworth – Barnsley Road (2010)

Castleford Town Centre (2007) Hemsworth – Cross Hills (2013)

1 Environmental equity, air quality, socioeconomic status and respiratory health, 2010 2 Air quality and social deprivation in the UK: an environmental inequalities analysis, 2006 3 Defra. Abatement cost guidance for valuing changes in air quality, May 2013


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 ii

Air quality monitoring results over the last ten years show an overall downward

(improving) trend in the concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide in all the AQMAs with

significant improvements in results at monitoring locations throughout the district.

However, results in some monitoring locations have plateaued over the last two to

three years.

The annual mean concentration level of NO2 remains below the AQOL in nine of the

ten AQMA’s with only the exception being the Wakefield City AQMA where the level

was exceeded at 2 of the 12 monitoring locations within the AQMA – Site ID 9-R

(Doncaster Road) and 65-R (Northgate), with results showing a further point, site ID 1-

R (Leeds Road) to be on the limit of the AQOL at 40 µg/m3.

The M1, M62 and A1 AQMAs are major trunk roads under the control of Highways

England and therefore the local authority has little control of the traffic using these

roads. However, each of the major routes has been the subject of significant road

improvements and traffic management schemes, such as the implementation of the

Smart Motorway on the M1 (J39 – 42) and M62 (J25 – 30) and junction improvements,

such as the M62 / A1 interchange. Air quality monitoring has shown improvements

within these trunk road AQMAs, such that the AQOL was being achieved in all three

AQMAs up to the end of 2019. These AQMAs will be assessed for revocation in 2020.

Road infrastructure changes within the Wakefield City AQMA are being proposed at

Newton Bar and later on Ings Road where potential traffic pinch points are predicted

as a result of further development in the area together with Wakefield Eastern Relief

Road (WERR) traffic and the ‘Emerald Ring’ inner ring road developments.

The Pontefract AQMA has shown improving air quality across all but one of the

associated monitoring locations despite a significant increase in the housing stock.

A ‘Feasibility study’ has been completed to examine the viability of a South Eastern

link road that would by-pass Featherstone and Ackworth and link to the North of

Pontefract thereby relieving congestion in all three towns and ,ultimately, improving

local air quality further. Construction is not expected on this project until 2022 at the

earliest but these AQMAs will be assessed for revocation prior to that based on current

measured levels of NO2.

Despite improving monitoring results within the Castleford AQMA the approval of the

Aire River Growth Corridor Masterplan which includes major housing, retail and leisure


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 iii

development will have a potential significant impact on the local air quality and

therefore passive and continuous monitoring will continue in order to assess the impact

of the Masterplan.

Local authorities are required to consider coarse fraction particulate matter (PM10) as

part of their Local Air Quality Management duties and, as with NO2, declare an Air

Quality Management Area and prepare Air Quality Action Plans where the AQOL of

40µgm-3 (annual mean) is being exceeded. Although no monitoring of PM10 was

undertaken during 2015, the previous four years of monitoring (2011 to 2014) showed

results ranging from 20 to 25µgm-3. Continued lowering of results from that point until

2018 was reversed where the result showed an increase from the value in 2017 (an

increase from 14µgm3 to 19µgm3) which was due to major regeneration roadworks

(Kirkgate Highway Regeneration) close to the monitoring station. The annual mean for

2019, following completion of the roadworks showed a drop in PM10 towards previous

levels.

In 2016 a new requirement was introduced for local authorities to work towards

reducing air pollution from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), although no requirement was

placed on local authorities to monitor this as part of their local air quality management

functions. To help provide local information on PM2.5 levels, in addition to the data

from the national monitoring and modelling carried out by DEFRA, a PM2.5 monitor was

introduced in December 2015 at the CM3 - Park Street, Wakefield continuous air

quality monitoring station. The result for 2018 showed an increase in PM10

concentration (9µgm3 to 12µgm3), closely linked to the cause of the PM10 increase but

remaining well below the Target Value of 25µg/m3. As for the PM10 result for 2019, the

PM2.5 level declined slightly in 2019 following the conclusion of the Kirkgate roadworks.

Further monitoring of PM2.5 concentrations is proposed by the trial and deployment of

“low-cost” real time air quality sensors.

It is well established that PM2.5 exposure can have a significant impact on human health

including premature mortality and the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF)

uses this parameter as an indicator of the fraction of mortality attributable to particulate

air pollution. Although levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) are within AQOLs

it is recognised that there is no safe lower threshold for exposure and therefore action


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 iv

to reduce particulate emissions will benefit public health. The most recent PHOF

indicator4 (2017) shows a significant reduction from the previous (2015).

Particulate emissions come from human-made sources, natural sources and

secondary formation in the atmosphere.

Human-made sources include road traffic (particularly diesel exhaust emissions and

wear and tear on brakes, tyres etc.), bonfires and other combustion processes (coal,

wood, biomass, oil burning etc.), industrial sources and other sources such as

construction sites and mineral extraction processes. The use of solid fuel (coal) as a

fuel source has significantly reduced across all domestic and commercial premises

through the introduction of Smoke Control Orders, which control smoke emissions from

chimneys across the whole of the Wakefield district.

Natural sources include sea salt, and secondary formation results from a chemical

reaction in the atmosphere between other, gaseous, pollutants such as Sulphur dioxide

(SO2) and oxides of nitrogen. The release of these precursors is controlled locally

under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.

However, local sources of PM2.5 account for only approximately 35% of the total

concentration in the atmosphere as, illustrated in Figure 1, below. Therefore, while

measures to reduce emissions of PM2.5 may have some impact in urban areas, where

concentrations would be expected to be higher, rural areas will not see the same

benefit from these measures.

4 PHOF Indicator 3.01 - Deaths attributable to particulate air pollution

http://www.phoutcomes.info/public-health-outcomes-framework#page/0/gid/1000043/pat/6/par/E12000003/ati/101/are/E08000036


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 v

Figure 1: Percentage contributions to modelled concentrations of PM2.5 at urban background locations5

Recent concerns have been raised over the increasing use of wood as a domestic fuel,

particularly in urban areas, causing increased fine particulate emissions. Further

Government support for awareness raising campaigns, equipment and fuel emission

policies and enforcement are being produced as part of the national Air Quality

Strategy.

Air Quality in the Wakefield District is monitored by Wakefield Council’s Environmental

Health Service, who also have a regulatory role to control emissions from domestic

and commercial activity, for example through the enforcement of Smoke Control Areas,

investigation of statutory nuisance complaints, regulating industries under the

Environmental Permitting Regulations and consulting on planning applications to

prevent and mitigate adverse impacts from new development. We also work with our

partners in Wakefield Council Highways Authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

(WYCA) and Highways England to tackle transport related air pollution, which involves

working in collaboration with our neighbouring local authorities in West Yorkshire to

improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions, for example through the West

Yorkshire Low Emission strategy Delivery Group, West Yorkshire Transport Group,

and West Yorkshire Transport and Health Board. Examples of this joint work include

the development of the West Yorkshire Low Emissions Strategy 2016 – 2021, the

5 From DEAFRA Local Air Quality Management web pages at: https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/public-health/pm25.html

https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/public-health/pm25.html


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 vi

development of a West Yorkshire Electric Vehicle Strategy and the submission of joint

funding bids, such as OLEV grants including the Go Ultra-low City Scheme, ULEV Taxi

Scheme and Clean Vehicle Technology Fund.

Actions to Improve Air Quality

Many of the broad measures in the current Air Quality Action Plan have been

implemented or are at a well-developed stage of contributing to improving air quality

and include:

Establish an Implementation Plan for progression of the West Yorkshire Low

Emissions Strategy.

Road Improvements:

Wakefield - Eastern Relief Road (WERR), (Started in 2015 and opened

in April 2017).

Castleford - Glasshoughton Southern Link Road (starting in 2017 and

opening in July 2020).

Newton Bar Roundabout improvement (planning stage middle 2019).

South Featherstone Link Road Feasibility Study (planning process late

2019, construction not expected until 2022).

Air quality and emissions reduction through the planning process, including a

review of the West Yorkshire Air Quality and Emissions Planning Guidance,

started in Spring 2020.

ULEV Taxi Scheme

Minimum EURO standards and age of vehicle restrictions for taxis within Wakefield –introduced in March 2018 with two-year implementation period.

New Contract for Wakefield City Bus operations incorporating minimum Euro VI

emission standard – commenced April 2018

Retrofit of emission abatement technology on buses through the Clean Bus Technology fund.

WYCA is working in tandem with the West Yorkshire Authorities to delivery around 88

rapid or fast EV charge points at strategic locations across West Yorkshire following a

£1.9m Government funding programme. 13 Charging points have been commissioned

or are being installed within the Wakefield District.

The implementation of the Eco Stars Fleet recognition scheme in 2016 established by

West Yorkshire local authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA)

to help support freight and bus/coach operators to improve the efficiency and

environmental performance of their fleets continues to show increasing numbers of

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/bins-environment/environmental-health/pollution/air-quality-action-plan-2010.pdf


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 vii

commercial operators, including all the major bus operators signed-up to the scheme.

Expansion of the scheme to taxis and smaller commercial enterprises is being

considered.

As part of this consideration Wakefield council was successful in obtaining funding

from the 2019 Air Quality Grant to expand the Eco Stars scheme into four small

industrial estates within the Wakefield City AQMA to realise emissions reductions from

diesel commercial vehicles operating in and around the AQMA and the district as a

whole. The project identified seventeen operators of commercial vehicles across the

four estates of which, to date, 7 businesses operating a total of 54 commercial vehicles

have joined the scheme.

A further successful 2019 Air Quality Grant bid was made that was designed to test an

alternative low cost monitoring method at identified schools close to major highways in

Wakefield city. The project aimed to identify any significant exposure to children,

parents and staff from road traffic emissions as well as promoting active travel amongst

those families and establishing an education and information template for other users.

The project suffered from issues with the sensors that were selected for the trial and

the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic which interrupted the educational package. It is

still hoped to complete the project, albeit over a longer timescale than was planned.

Conclusions and Priorities

Air Quality across the district is gradually improving but has plateaued in some

monitoring locations. Action to further improve air quality for nitrogen dioxide remains

a priority and in the next year will include:

Work with West Yorkshire partners to deliver the West Yorkshire Low Emissions

Strategy 2016 - 2021, including:

Work with West Yorkshire colleagues to ensure Clean Air Zones in Leeds

and Bradford will deliver a positive impact on air quality within the

Wakefield district.

Working with WYCA to reduce transport emissions through the West

Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040 and Bus Strategy.


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 viii

Working with WYCA and colleagues within Transportation and Highways

to deliver the “corridor schemes” for key arterial routes into Wakefield

and Pontefract

Assessing the impact of the WY Eco Stars Fleet Recognition scheme to

determine whether further investment to improve fuel efficiency and

reduce emissions from freight and commercial operations is justified.

Supporting low emission taxi operations, including implementation of

funding through the OLEV Ultra-low Emission Taxi Scheme for rapid

charging points.

Influencing the Wakefield Local Development Plan review as a driver to

improve air quality.

Implement the revised Taxi and Private Hire operator license conditions.

Review the current Air Quality Action Plan 2010 in light of emerging evidence

and prepare a new Action Plan in line with the West Yorkshire Low Emissions

Strategy and more detailed Action Plans for specific actions relating to individual

AQMAs.

Participate in the review of the West Yorkshire Air Quality and Emissions

Planning Guidance to further influence emission reduction mitigation and

ensure developments contribute positively to air quality.

Implementation of a West Yorkshire Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy to

provide a strategic network of EV charging points and promoting uptake of EVs

in the district and across the region.

Castleford AQMA: Continue liaison with colleagues on the Castleford Master-

planning process, individual planning applications and install real time air

pollution sensors to monitor air quality close to housing developments along the

Glasshoughton Southern Relief Road.

Ackworth AQMA: Reviewing the Ackworth AQMA in the light of the revised

monitoring.

Review the remaining AQMAs in terms of boundary change/ revoking following

further monitoring results.

Further develop a “project pipeline” for implementation as funding becomes

available.

Work with colleagues to deliver air quality improvements on Horsefair in

Pontefract as part of the Streets for People demonstration project.


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 ix

Participate in a Green Infrastructure pilot project in partnership with Dr James

Levine of Birmingham University and West Yorkshire partners;

Collaborate with West Yorkshire partners on a WYCA-led project to create an

online hub for air quality data and information.

Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) is currently only monitored in one location, the

CM3 - Park Street, Wakefield continuous air quality monitoring station. With the UK

Government’s Air Quality Strategy, published in January 2020, placing more emphasis

on particulate matter and on PM2.5 in particular with a pledge to consider implementing

an AQOL for PM2.5 another priority must be to monitor particulate matter more widely.

To this end Wakefield Council will, as funding becomes available, be deploying several

“low-cost” sensors that will provide real-time data on particulate matter concentrations

as well as NO2.

These sensors will also begin to inform us of how levels of air pollutants vary through

the day and may help to identify locations where concentrations of pollutants peak at

times when vulnerable people are exposed to them even though the annual average

concentration meets the relevant AQOL. The first sensors are expected to be deployed

along the Glasshoughton Southern Link Road.

Local Engagement and How to get Involved

Reducing polluting emissions to the air from our everyday activities will help improve

local air quality and our health. Everyone can help to reduce air pollution:

If you can, walk or cycle particularly for short journeys, such as a trip to the local

shops or going to school, or as part of a longer journey – you can take cycles on

most trains and cycle storage facilities are increasing available at stations and

workplaces. As well as being good for your health it will help to improve air

quality.

Use public transport to get around. West Yorkshire has some of the best public

transport in the country.

Consider car-sharing options such as car clubs and car sharing, avoiding the

costs of car ownership and to do your bit for the environment at the same time.

Change your car or van for an ultra-low emission alternative such as a plug-in

electric or hybrid. More options are becoming available each year, technology

is improving and the running costs make this a very attractive alternative, which

has also great for the environment.

Make sure your place of work has a Travel Plan – if you’re an employer make

sure you have one, if you’re an employee – ask your employer about one.

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/residents/sport-and-leisure/walking

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/residents/sport-and-leisure/cycling/cycle-routes

http://www.wymetro.com/

http://www.wymetro.com/moreways/cars/

https://www.goultralow.com/

http://www.wytravelplan.com/


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 x

Businesses, which operate fleet vehicles (lorries, vans, buses, coaches etc) can

become members of the Eco Stars Fleet recognition Scheme and get free advice

on managing their fleet to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Find out more about local air quality by visiting the Wakefield Air Quality web-site.

http://www.ecostars-uk.com/eco-stars-schemes/

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-environment/environmental-health/air-quality


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 xi

Table of Contents

Executive Summary: Air Quality in Our Area .......................................................... i

Air Quality in the Wakefield District ..................................................................................... i

Actions to Improve Air Quality ........................................................................................... vi

Conclusions and Priorities ............................................................................................... vii

Local Engagement and How to get Involved ..................................................................... ix

1 Local Air Quality Management ........................................................................ 1

2 Actions to Improve Air Quality ........................................................................ 2

2.1 Air Quality Management Areas .............................................................................. 2

2.2 Progress and Impact of Measures to address Air Quality in Wakefield District ...... 6

2.3 PM2.5 – Local Authority Approach to Reducing Emissions and/or

Concentrations.................................................................................................................13

3 Air Quality Monitoring Data and Comparison with Air Quality

Objectives and National Compliance .................................................................... 15

3.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken .....................................................................15

3.1.1 Automatic Monitoring Sites .......................................................................................... 15

3.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites................................................................................... 15

3.2 Individual Pollutants .............................................................................................16

3.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)................................................................................................. 16

3.2.2 Particulate Matter (PM10) .............................................................................................. 43

3.2.3 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) ............................................................................................. 44

Appendix A: Monitoring Results ........................................................................... 46

Appendix B: Full Monthly Diffusion Tube Results for 2019 ................................ 59

Appendix C: Supporting Technical Information / Air Quality Monitoring

Data QA/QC ............................................................................................................. 62

Appendix D: Maps of Monitoring Locations and AQMAs ................................... 66

Appendix E: Summary of Air Quality Objectives in England .............................. 69

Glossary of Terms .................................................................................................. 70

List of Tables

Table 2.1 – Declared Air Quality Management Areas .................................................. 3 Table 2.2 – Progress on Measures to Improve Air Quality .......................................... 9 Table A.1 - Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites ...................................................... 46 Table A.2 – Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites ............................................. 47 Table A.3 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results .................................................... 51

Table A.4 – 1-Hour Mean NO2 Monitoring Results .................................................... 55 Table A.5 – Annual Mean PM10 Monitoring Results................................................... 56


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 xii

Table A.6 – 24-Hour Mean PM10 Monitoring Results ................................................. 57

Table A.7 – PM2.5 Monitoring Results ........................................................................ 58 Table B.1 - NO2 Monthly Diffusion Tube Results - 2019 ............................................ 59

Table E.1 – Air Quality Objectives in England ........................................................... 69


LAQM Annual Status Report 2020 1

1 Local Air Quality Management

This report provides an overview of air quality in the Wakefield Metropolitan District

during 2019. It fulfils the requirements of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) as

set out in Part IV of the Environment Act (1995) 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 an exceedance is considered likely the

local authority must 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. This Annual Status Report (ASR) is an annual

requirement showing the strategies employed by Wakefield Council to improve air

quality and any progress that has been made.

The statutory air quality objectives applicable to LAQM in England can be found in

Table E.1 in Appendix E.



2 Actions to Improve Air Quality

2.1 Air Quality Management Areas

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are declared when there is an exceedance

or likely exceedance of an air quality objective. After declaration, the authority must

prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) within 12-18 months setting out measures

it intends to put in place in pursuit of compliance with the objectives.

A summary of AQMAs declared by Wakefield Council District can be found in Table 2.1.

Further information related to declared or revoked AQMAs, including maps of AQMA

boundaries are available online at Wakefield Air Quality and DEFRA Wakefield

AQMAS

Given the continuing trend of compliance with the air quality objectives and our

confidence that the levels will not be exceeded in the future we propose to revoke the

following AQMA’s (see monitoring section):

I. M62

II. Pontefract

III. Knottingley

IV. Ackworth

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/bins-and-environment/environmental-health/air-quality

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/aqma/local-authorities?la_id=292

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/aqma/local-authorities?la_id=292



Table 2.1 – Declared Air Quality Management Areas

AQMA Name

Date of Declaration

Pollutants and Air Quality

Objectives

City / Town One Line

Description

Is air quality in the AQMA influenced by roads

controlled by

Highways England?

Level of Exceedance (maximum

monitored/modelled concentration at a location

of relevant exposure)

Action Plan

At Declaration

Now Name Date of

Publication Link

M1 January 2004 NO2 Annual

Mean J38-J42

An area encompassing residential properties near the M1. The AQMA was further extended in March 2006 to include further residential properties along the M1.

YES 69µgm3 39µgm3 Air Quality Action Plan

A1 January 2004 NO2 Annual

Mean

Boundary with Doncaster to

the M62

An area encompassing residential properties near the A1/M. The AQMA was further extended in March 2013 to include residential properties along A1.






M62 March 2006 NO2 Annual

Mean

M62 from west to east of

district

An area encompassing properties between J29 and J33 of the M62.


Wakefield City

March 2006 NO2 Annual

Mean

Wakefield centre and

surrounding suburban housing

An area encompassing properties adjacent to main roads in the city including Denby Dale Rd, Doncaster Rd, Aberford Rd, Leeds Rd, Ings Rd & Marsh Way.


Castleford June 2007 NO2 Annual

Mean Castleford

An area encompassing properties adjacent to main roads in the town centre including Saville Rd, Ferrybridge Rd, Pontefract Rd, Castleford Rd.

NO 44µgm3 35µgm3 Air Quality Action Plan

Featherstone June 2007 NO2 Annual

Mean Featherstone

An area encompassing properties at the junction of Wakefield Rd. & Station Lane.


Pontefract June 2007 NO2 Annual

Mean Pontefract

An area encompassing properties adjacent to Town End Junction.









Knottingley June 2007 NO2 Annual

Mean Knottingley

An area encompassing properties adjacent to Hill Top and Weeland Rd.


Ackworth November 2010 NO2 Annual

Mean Ackworth

An area encompassing properties along the A628 Pontefract Rd from the Beverley Arms to High Ackworth.

NO 64µgm3

30µgm3

Air Quality Action Plan

Hemsworth May 2013 NO2 Annual

Mean Hemsworth

An area encompassing properties at the Cross Hill junction in the town centre.


☒ Wakefield Council confirms the information on UK-Air regarding their AQMA(s) is up to date.






2.2 Progress and Impact of Measures to address Air Quality in Wakefield District

Defra’s appraisal of last year’s ASR concluded that the report was “well structured,

detailed and provides most of the information specified in the Guidance”. There were

no specific recommendations but a number of recommendations were made in the

commentary which Wakefield Council has tried to address in this report. These related

to more detailed evidence to support the data included in the report and

recommendations with respect to the presentation of some data. A deeper discussion

of PM2.5 emissions was suggested and the proposals to revoke four AQMAs and review

the AQAP were supported.

Since the 2019 ASR, the AQ team at Wakefield Council has changed completely with

the three officers involved in LAQM retiring late summer 2019. The last 10 months

have, therefore seen a period of transition with a smaller “team” getting to grips with

the work. As a result, the review of the AQAP has not yet commenced. However, a

“project pipeline” is under development which will list all active and proposed measures

to address AQ issues. Once fully developed, the project pipeline will include projects

that are ready to implement as and when funding is secured.

Work has commenced on the revocation of those AQMAs that were proposed in the

2019 ASR. The first revocation is expected during Summer 2020 with others to follow

shortly afterwards.

Finally, as suggested in the 2018 ASR and supported in the appraisal of the 2019

report, a review of the passive monitoring network is underway. The number of NO2

diffusion tubes deployed has been reduced by approximately 50% with those tubes

repeatedly returning results way under the AQOL being withdrawn. This leaves the

Council with the capacity to investigate further potential hot-spots and respond to

concerns from members of the public about specific locations.

Wakefield Council has taken forward a number of direct measures during the current

reporting year of 2019 in pursuit of improving local air quality. Details of all measures

completed, in progress or planned are set out in Table 2.2.

More detail on these measures can be found in their respective Action Plans.

Key completed measures are:



Kirkgate roundabout gateway, reducing congestion in Wakefield City centre and

improving connectivity between Kirkgate rail station and the city centre;

Review of passive NO2 monitoring network;

Successful bid for AQ Grant funding for two projects within the Wakefield City

AQMA.

Wakefield Council expects the following measures to be completed over the course of

the next reporting year:

AQ Grant-funded project to promote the ECOStars (Efficient and Cleaner

Operations) Fleet Recognition Scheme among the businesses operating from

four industrial estates within the Wakefield City AQMA;

A further AQ Grant-funded project to trial low-cost real time pollution sensors at

three primary schools on or close to major arterial routes into Wakefield, with

an educational package for the schools, was undertaken;

Revocation of up to four AQMAs;

Refining of a “Project Pipeline” and review of the AQAP;

Review of the West Yorkshire Air Quality and Emissions Technical Planning

Guidance;

Commissioning of the final rapid Electric Vehicle charging point of 13 across the

district as part of the West Yorkshire Charging Programme;

Deployment of at least four further low-cost sensors;

Opening of the Glasshoughton Southern Link Road;

Wakefield Council’s priorities for the coming year are:

Deliver the two grant-funded projects;

Revoke selected AQMAs;

Review AQAP;

Review WY AQ and Emissions Technical Planning Guidance;



Expand network of low-cost sensors to provide more real time data and

wider particulate coverage;

The principal challenges and barriers to implementation that Wakefield Council

anticipates facing are human resources. Wakefield Council’s LAQM team has seen

wholesale change and depletion of numbers since the last ASR. We continue to work

with fewer full time equivalent officers and much less experience in the team which is

reducing our capacity for the time being.

Progress on the following measures has been slower than expected due to:

Two grant-funded projects have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic;

All other work has been affected by the loss of experience and knowledge

following the retirement of the former Air Quality Officer and depletion of staff

numbers.

Whilst the measures stated above and in Table 2.2 will help to contribute towards

compliance, Wakefield Council anticipates that further additional measures not yet

prescribed will be required in subsequent years to achieve compliance and enable the

revocation of Wakefield City AQMA. Many of the measures in Table 2.2 have arisen

since the AQAP was last revised in 2010. They will be incorporated into the AQAP

when it is reviewed.



Table 2.2 – Progress on Measures to Improve Air Quality

Measure No.

Measure EU Category EU Classification Date

Measure Introduced

Organisations involved

Funding Source Key

Performance Indicator

Reduction in Pollutant /

Emission from Measure

Progress to Date

Estimated / Actual

Completion Date

Comments / Barriers to implementation

1 Glasshoughton Southern Relief

Road

Traffic Management

Strategic highway improvements, Re-

prioritising road space away from cars, including Access

management, Selective vehicle priority, bus priority, high vehicle

occupancy lane

2019 Wakefield Council

Highways Authority

West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund (£5.968

million) / Harworth

Estates Ltd, Waystone Ltd

(dedicating land as Highway)

Emissions and concentration

reductions Below AQOL Delivery stage Jul-20 None

2 Featherstone Southern Link

Road

Traffic Management




occupancy lane


/ WYCA

West Yorkshire-plus Transport

Fund


reductions Below AQOL

pre -business case development

post 2022 Funding, land acquisition

(green belt)

3 Newton Bar

Corridor Traffic

Management




occupancy lane


Highways Authority


Fund



Implementation on-going

2021 none

4 ULEV Taxi charging

infrastructure

Promoting Low Emission Transport

Taxi emission incentives

2016 WYCA/LA OLEV (via

WYCA) £1.980 million


reductions

No. of rapid charging points

First sites commissioned

November 2019 with all 13 sites to be delivered in the following months

Sep-20 None

5 Revised planning

guidance

Policy Guidance and Development

Control

Air Quality Planning and Policy Guidance

Sep-18 Wakefield Council

Environmental Health

None required Emissions and concentration

reductions

Emission reductions from

new developments

New guidance issued

Jun-19 completed

6 West Yorkshire

Bus retro fit

Promoting Low Emission Transport

Other 2018 WYCA

DfT Clean Bus Technology Fund (via WYCA)


reductions

no. of retro fitted vehicles

£2.9m Funding secured, Wakefield

routes to be identified

on-going

On-going: bus operators have shelved the project

citing the COVID-19 pandemic as their reason



7

Air Quality Grant Project: Targeted Extension of Eco

stars Scheme

Freight and Delivery

Management

Route Management Plans/ Strategic routing

strategy for HGV's 2018

Wakefield Council (DEFRA funding)

DEFRA AQ Grant Fund 2018


reductions

No of business engaging with the scheme

Funding secured Jun-20

Businesses signed up to the scheme but further progress and publicity

halted due to COVID-19 pandemic

8

Air Qaulity Grant Project: Schools

exposure monitoring and

educational programme

Public Information

Other 2018

Wakefield Council, Living

Streets, Schools (DEFRA funding)

DEFRA AQ Grant Fund 2019


reductions

No of School children

engaging with the programme and behaviour

change

Funding secured Jun-20

Educational element interrupted by COVID-19

pandemic and school closures

9 5 Year Local Plan Review


Control



Planning Authority

None required Emissions and concentration

reductions


new developments

consultations on-going

Apr-21 delays in consultation

process

10 Walking &

Cycling City Connect Routes

Alternatives to private vehicle

use Other 2017

WYCA / Wakefield Council

/ CityConnect

DfT Cycle City Ambition Grant (CCAG), West Yorkshire-plus

Transport Fund, Leeds City

Region Growth Deal


reductions

emission reduction and active travel

Schemes on-going to build new cycle

routes and improve existing cycle infrastructure

On-going Wakefield - Castleford

Greenway open

11 Knottingley

Southern Relief Road

Traffic Management




occupancy lane


Highways Authority

To be confirmed Emissions and concentration


Central to Knottingley Strategic

Development Framework (Sept

2018). Project development on-

going

To be confirmed

Funding / release of Green Belt land.

12 Revised planning

guidance


Control


Apr-20

West Yorkshire Local Authorities

planning and Environmental

Health Services, WYCA

2020 Emissions and concentration

reductions


new developments

Consultation underway

Dec-20 Engagement of stakeholders

13 Streets for

People Other Other Jul-19

Wakefield Council / WYCA

2019

Active travel / emissions and concentrations

reductions

Emission reduction from

traffic restrictions

Preferred option consulted on

Summer 2021

Budget restrictions, stakeholder engagement

14 Green

infrastructure pilot project

Transport Planning and Infrastructure

Other Apr-20 Wakefield Council

/ Birmingham University

2020 Protection of

pedestrians from emissions

Reduction of pollutant

concentration adjacent to

roads

Final funding bid submitted

2027 Funding, successful

implementation



15

Promotion of Burnright

campaign to ensure correct

operation of solid fuel stoves

Public Information

Via the internet Mar-20

Wakefield Council / Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps

/ HETAS

2020

Reduction of particulate emissions, reduction of

nuisance smoke and odour complaints

Reduction in PM10 and PM2.5

Liaison with local BurnRight

representative on-going

Dec-20 None

16 West Yorkshire AQ information

Hub

Public Information

Via the internet Apr-20 Wakefield Council / other WY Las /

WYCA 2020

Website launched displaying AQ

monitoring data and links to AQ

resources

Emission reduction through

informing the public and

promoting active travel

WYCA compiling data sources and designing website

Dec-20 None

17 Castleford

Growth Corridor Scheme

Traffic Management




occupancy lane

Summer 2020



million)


reductions Below AQOL Full business case Dec-22

Includes new link road and footbridge across the

River Aire

18 Knottingley Rail

Park & Ride


use Rail based Park & Ride 2014

Wakefield Council / WYCA / Network

Rail


million)

Number of road journeys saved

Below AQOL Jul-05 Additional 115 parking

spaces and provision for EV charging points

19 Outwood Rail Park & Ride





million)


Below AQOL Full Business Case 2021 Additional 167 spaces and provision for EV

charging points

20 Normanton Rail Park and Ride



WYCA / Arriva Rail North


million)


Below AQOL Full Business Case 2021

Over 120 additional parking spaces plus

provision for EV charging points

21 Castleford Rail

Station Gateway


use Other Aug-19

WYCA / Arriva Rail North /

Wakefield Council / Network Rail


million)

Road journeys saved

Below AQOL Delivery stage Jun-20

Improvements to access and passenger facilities,

additional car parking and sheltered bicycle storage

to grow passenger numbers. Improved

pedestrian links between rail station and town

centre



22

Wakefield City Centre Package Phase 2: Ings

Road

Traffic Management




occupancy lane

To be confirmed

To be confirmed


Fund (£3.4 million allocated

to date)



Outline Business Case

To be confirmed

This scheme aims to reduce congestion and

improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists



2.3 PM2.5 – Local Authority Approach to Reducing Emissions and/or Concentrations

As detailed in Policy Guidance LAQM.PG16 (Chapter 7), local authorities are

expected to work towards reducing emissions and/or concentrations of PM2.5

(particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5µm or less). There is clear

evidence that PM2.5 has a significant impact on human health, including premature

mortality, allergic reactions, and cardiovascular diseases.

Wakefield Council is taking the following measures to address PM2.5:

Taxi EV charging infrastructure (measure 4 in Table 2.2). This is an existing

measure that is nearing completion;

Revised planning guidance will increase the provision of domestic and

commercial EV charging points. This is a new measure that is in the initial

stages of consultation (measure 5 in Table 2.2);

West Yorkshire bus retro-fit scheme will reduce PM2.5 from busses on key

routes into the district (measure 6 in Table 2.2). Existing measure that has

been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic;

The ECOStars scheme extension (measure 7 in Table 2.2) has recruited

several members from industrial estates in Wakefield and will reduce diesel

fuel consumption in those commercial vehicle fleets through fleet

management and efficient driving, thus reducing emissions of PM2.5 and

other pollutants. Existing measure that was in the planning stage in the

previous ASR but has been delivered during 2019;

A number of measures from Table 2.2, including the Schools project

(measure 8), walking and cycling routes (measure 10), Streets for People

(measure 13), green infrastructure project (measure 14) and improvements

to Ings Road (measure 22) are all aimed at promoting and supporting active

travel and reducing private vehicle use. The schools project and



walking/cycling routes are existing measures, the others are new or

included for the first time in the 2019 ASR;

Likewise, the various rail park and ride projects (measures 18, 19, 20 and

21) aim to reduce the use of private vehicles. These sches are included for

the first time in the 2019 ASR;

Support for the BurnRight campaign (measure15) will help inform the public

about the correct use of solid fuel stoves such that they burn “cleanly”,

driving a reduction of PM from domestic sources. This is a new measure.



3 Air Quality Monitoring Data and Comparison with Air Quality Objectives and National Compliance

3.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

3.1.1 Automatic Monitoring Sites

This section sets out what monitoring has taken place and how it compares with

objectives.

Wakefield District Council undertook automatic (continuous) monitoring at 3 sites

during 2018. Error! Reference source not found. in Appendix A shows the details

f the sites. National monitoring results are available at Air Quality England.

Maps showing the location of the monitoring sites are provided in Appendix D.

Further details on how the monitors are calibrated and how the data has been

adjusted are included in Appendix C.

3.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Wakefield Council undertook non- automatic (passive) monitoring of NO2 at 39 sites

during 2019. Table A.2 in Appendix A shows the details of the sites.

Maps showing the location of the monitoring sites are provided in Appendix D.

Further details on Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for the diffusion

tubes, including bias adjustments and any other adjustments applied (e.g.

“annualisation” and/or distance correction), are included in Appendix C.

https://www.airqualityengland.co.uk/



3.2 Individual Pollutants

The air quality monitoring results presented in this section are, where relevant,

adjusted for bias6, “annualisation” (where the data capture falls below 75%), and

distance correction7. Further details on adjustments are provided in Appendix C.

3.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Table A.3 in Appendix A compares the ratified and adjusted monitored NO2 annual

mean concentrations for the past 5 years with the air quality objective of 40µg/m3.

Note that the concentration data presented in Table A.3 represents the

concentration at the location of the monitoring site, following the application of bias

adjustment and annualisation, as required (i.e. the values are exclusive of any

consideration to fall-off with distance adjustment).

For diffusion tubes, the full 2019 dataset of monthly mean values is provided in

Appendix B. Note that the concentration data presented in Table B.1 includes

distance corrected values, only where relevant.

Table A.4 in Appendix A compares the ratified continuous monitored NO2 hourly

mean concentrations for the past 5 years with the air quality objective of 200µg/m3,

not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year.

Monitoring results for each of the AQMAs and other areas of concern in the district

are considered in further detail below. The results tell us that 37 of the 39 diffusion

tube monitoring locations in the district were under, or were equal to the annual

mean Air Quality Objective Level (AQOL) for NO2. The two locations with a result

greater than the annual mean objective were both located in the Wakefield city

AQMA (Sites 9-R and 65-R).

The annual mean NO2 level did not exceed 60µg/m3 at any location indicating that

the hourly NO2 air quality objective level was unlikely to have been exceeded in the

Wakefield district during 2019.

6 https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/bias-adjustment-factors/bias-adjustment.html 7 Fall-off with distance correction criteria is provided in paragraph 7.77, LAQM.TG(16)

https://laqm.defra.gov.uk/bias-adjustment-factors/bias-adjustment.html



Wakefield City AQMA

The Wakefield City AQMA includes Wakefield city centre and the surrounding road

network which feeds into the city (Figure 1). During 2019 air quality was monitored

at 12 locations within the AQMA using passive diffusion tubes (Figure 1). Three

tubes are located at the Park Street and Newton Bar continuous monitors for co-

location bias correction repectively. Diffusion tubes are known to vary from the true

result so a comparison is made between them and a continuous monitor so that any

difference can be compensated for in the results. This is termed “bias correction”

and more than one tube is co-located to identify any variation between the tubes at

the same location (precision). Further details can be found in Appendix C.

Continuous air quality monitoring was undertaken during 2019 at Park Street and

Newton Bar, with results for 2015 to 2019 (Table A.3) showing that concentrations

of NO2 have plateaued over the course of the last few years.

Figure 2: Extent of Wakefield City AQMA and monitoring locations within the AQMA



Two diffusion tube monitoring locations in the Wakefield City AQMA had an annual

mean NO2 level above the air quality objective level in 2019:

Doncaster Road – 42µg/m3 (roadside location, 5 metres from the kerb and

representative of relevant residential exposure);

Northgate - 52µg/m3 (roadside location, X metres from the kerb and

representative of relevant residential exposure).

Two locations had a significant increase in values from 2018:

Site ID 65-R: Northgate (33.9 µg/m3 to 52.0 µg/m3);

Site ID 173-B: Bar Lane (28.4 µg/m3 to 33.8 µg/m3);

Other diffusion tube locations showed slight rises over 2018 results but are

consistent with previous years. Generally, the trend is for slightly reducing

concentrations of NO2. The five year trend of results from current fiffusion tubes is

presented in figure X, below. The annual mean NO2 concentration for each diffusion

tube in 2019 is presented in Figure 3.



Figure 3: NO2 Diffusion Tube Annual Mean Data for Wakefield City AQMA

39.941.9

29.4

32.9

52

25.828.3

26.227.6 27.1 28 28

33.8

20.9

33.2

38.4

1

An

nu

al M

ean

NO

2 (

µg/

m3

)

Monitoring location

1-R, 61 Leeds Road 9-R, 128 Doncaster Road 13-R, King Street

59-R, 44 Denby Dale Road 65-R, 99 Northgate 67-B, 1 Arlington street

112-R, Newton Bar AQM (1) 119-B, Park Street AQM (1) 121-B, Park Street AQM (2)

122-B, Park Street AQM (3) 123-R, Newton Bar AQM (2) 124-R, Newton Bar AQM (3)

173-B, 2 Bar Lane 182-B, 23 Butterfield Way 184-R, 329 Bradford Road

187-R, 153 Wakefield Road



Figure 4: Wakefield City AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

The increase in concentrations at Bar Lane (Site ID: 173-B) was forecast following

the City Fields and Eastern Relief Road developments, reported in 2018, where

through traffic has been diverted onto the relief road with additional traffic from

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3)

Year

1-R, 61 Leeds Road

9-R, 128 Doncaster Road

13-R, King Street, Wakefield

59-R, 44 Denby Dale Road

65-R, 99 Northgate

67-B, 1 Arlington street

112-R, Newton Bar AQM

119-B, Park Street AQM (1)



123-R, Newton Bar AQM (2)

124-R, Newton Bar AQM (3)+'Trend (re-organised)'!$M$148:$Q$148

173-B, 2 Bar Lane+'[NO2 graphs.xlsx]Sheet1'!$O$260:$S$260

182-B, 23 Butterfield way

184-R, 329 Bradford Road

187-R, 153 Wakefield Road

Air Quality Objective Level



progressive major housing and commercial development. Increased traffic flow is

accomodated on the existing Bar Lane leading to an increase in congestion at its

junction with the Newton Bar roundabout. As also reported in 2018 an alleviation

scheme was proposed and has now progressed to the delivery stage (Figure 5).

Figure 5 - Proposed reconfigured junction at Newton Bar



Ackworth AQMA

The Ackworth AQMA covers the area along the A628 Pontefract Road from the

Beverley Arms roundabout junction with the A638 in the south to the High Ackworth

area of Ackworth in the north of the village (Figure 6). Air quality is monitored using

diffusion tube sampling at a single location along the length of the road, site ID 145-

R (Figure 7).

Figure 6: Ackworth AQMA boundary



Figure 7: Ackworth AQMA monitoring location

The annual mean NO2 at the monitoring location remained well under the AQOL at

30 µg/m3 in 2019, see Figure 8, below.

Figure 8: Ackworth AQMA NO2 diffusion tube data trend

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

µg/

m3

Year

Annual Mean NO2

Site 145-R (4Barnsley Road)

Air QualityObjective Level

Linear (Site 145-R(4 Barnsley Road))



As reported in the 2018 Annual Status Report, a feasibility study for the construction

of a relief road (South Featherstone Link Road) has been undertaken. This relief

road would divert some through-traffic away from the Ackworth AQMA. See Table

2.2, above.

The AQMA will be considered for revocation should the outcome of the impact

assessment of the proposed link road demonstrate future continued compliance with

the AQOL.



Castleford AQMA

The Castleford AQMA covers the centre of Castleford and spine roads of Pontefract

Road, Ferrybridge Road, Saville Road and Albion Street. There are two diffusion

tube monitoring locations within the AQMA, site ID 45_R and 176-R (Figure 9). plus

a continuous monitoring station located outside the AQMA in Castleford, site ID CM1

– Castleford, providing roadside readings. Three diffusion tubes are co-located with

the continuous monitoring station for local bias correction purposes: sites 116-R,

117-R and 118-R.

Figure 9: Castleford AQMA boundary and monitoring locations



The results for 2019 show that levels of NO2 are in decline or stable within the

AQMA. Sites, Castleford and except for Site 125-R, see Figure 10.

Figure 10: Castleford AQMA NO2 diffusion tube data trend

Although not in the current Castleford AQMA sites 125-R, (17 Ferrybridge Road)

and 177-R (Queen Street) are included to monitor the impact of significant housing

development proposed adjacent to the AQMA boundary as part of the original

“Castleford Masterplan” described in the 2018 Annual Status Report. Significant

housing and commercial development is proposed within Castleford and further

development is planned for the future as part of the Aire River Growth Corridor Plan

(available here). Further air quality impact assessments are expected in the future

as part of a formal planning application process.

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

An

nu

al m

ean

(µ

g/m

3)

Year

45-R, 20 Saville Road 116-R, Castleford CMS

117-R, Castleford CMS 118-R, Castleford CMS

125-R, 17 Ferrybridge Road 176-B, 1 Francis street

177-R, 2 Queen Street Air Quality Objective Level

http://mg.wakefield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=222&MId=13950&Ver=4



Whereas all other results in Castleford showed stable or gradually declining levels

of NO2, site 125_R showed a significant rise over 2018 results (from 27 µg/m3 to 32

µg/m3). Continued monitoring will identify whether this is an upward trend or an

anomaly in 2019.

M1 Motorway AQMA

The M1 Motorway AQMA runs along the spine of the M1 motorway covering

properties predominantly to the east of the motorway in the prevailing wind direction

(Figure 11). There were four diffusion tube monitoring locations within the AQMA in

2019 (Figures 12, 13, 14).

Figure 11: M1 AQMA boundary



Figure 12: M1 AQMA monitoring location 40-B, Lofthouse



Figure 13: M1 AQMA Monitoring Location 39-B, Kirkhamgate

Figure 14: M1 AQMA Monitoring Locations 34-B and 35-R, Durkar



Figure 15: M1 AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

Concentrations of NO2 at all four monitoring locations were under the NO2 annual

mean air quality objective level in 2019 and are generally stable or trending slightly

downwards (decreasing NO2 concentrations) despite a significant increase in local

commercial development within the area. Site ID: 39-B, 247 Batley Road is the

exception with the annual mean jumping to 39 µg/m3 in 2019 from 31 µg/m3 in 2018.

This location will continue to be monitored and investigated in 2020.

A1 (M) Trunk Road AQMA

The A1 AQMA runs along the spine of the A1 (M) trunk road (Figures 16 and 17).

Diffusion tube monitoring is carried out at a row of terraced properties immediately

adjacent to the southbound carriageway of the A1 (Site 42-R, 1 West Park Terrace).

Concentrations at monitoring site 162-B, Fairview, Grovehall Lane, reported in

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3 )

Year

34-B, 470 Denby Dale Road East, Durkar 35-R, 424 Denby Dale Road, Durkar

39-B, 247 Batley Road, Kirkhamgate 40-B, 2 Pleasant View, Lofthouse

Air Qulaity Objective Level



previous reports, were shown to be unaffected by local development and monitoring

at that site was therefore stopped at that location in 2019.

Figure 16: A1 AQMA boundary

Figure 17: Monitoring location 42-R, 1 West Park Terrace



The trend in diffusion tube monitoring results, shown in Figure 18 below, is generally

downwards although the last year has shown a slight rise from 31.0 to 32.4 µg/m3.

The mean NO2 concentration at this site remains well below the AQOL but will

continue to be monitored. However, given that this is the only site of concern within

the existing AQMA, the extent of the AQMA boundaries may be reviewed in 2020.

Figure 18: A1 AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2 A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3

)

Year

42-R, 1 West Park Terrace Air Quality Objective Level



M62 Motorway AQMA

The M62 Motorway AQMA runs along the length of the M62 from the west to east

of the district. There are currently five diffusion tube monitoring locations within the

AQMA (Figure 19) following a review of data in 2019 resulting in 6 locations being

discontinued. The annual mean results for each site are presented in Figure 20,

below (40 µg/m3 being the AQOL). The five-year trend is presented in Figure 21.

Figure 19: M62 AQMA and Monitoring Locations

Figure 20: Annual mean NO2 results for the M62 AQMA monitoring sites

34

32

28

28

29

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Annual Mean NO2 (µg/m3)

Mo

nit

ori

ng

site

174-R, 238 Holywell Lane, Castleford 106-B, Castlegate Farm

94-R, 125 Park Road, Castleford 5-R, 40 Whitwood Common Lane, Castleford

4-R, 433 Castleford road, Normanton



Figure 21: M62 AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

Three of the five sites have shown a slight rise in the annual mean NO2

concentration over the 2018 results, the other two remaining static. Overall, the five

year trend is downward (improving air quality) and all of the five monitoring sites

returned results below the Air Quality Objective Level.

Monitoring in the M62 AQMA will continue, perticularly along the Glasshoughton

Southern Link Road (GSLR). The GSLR, opening in July 2020, runs parallel to the

M62 on the Northern side in the Glasshoughton area. Certain plots of land adjacent

to the GSLR are designated for residential development.

Featherstone AQMA

The Featherstone AQMA is located at the junction of the Wakefield Road with

Station Lane on the A645 through Featherstone. Following a review of NO2 diffusion

tubes in 2019 just a single diffusion tube is located at site 140-R, 62 Wakefield Road,

Featherstone, close to the junction at the centre of the AQMA (Figure 22).

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2 A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3 )

Year

4-R, 433 Castleford Rd, Normanton

5-R, 40 Whitwood Common Lane, Castleford

94-R, 125 Park Road, Castleford

106-B, Castlegate Farm

174-R, 238 Holywell Lane, Castleford




Figure 22: Featherstone AQMA Boundary and Monitoring Location

The annual mean NO2 concentration at site 140-R in 2019 was 34.9 µg/m3 against

the Air Quality Objective Level of 40 µg/m3. The five-year trend at this location is

presented in Figure 23, below.



Figure 23: Featherstone AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

The mean NO2 concentration at this monitoring point remains below but close to the

AQOL. The Featherstone Southern Link Road, referred to in Table 2.2 above, is

likely to take much of the through traffic away from this junction, which acts as a

bottleneck, in the centre of Featherstone. In the meantime monitoring will continue

at this location.

Pontefract AQMA

This AQMA is centred on the Town End Junction of Pontefract and the approach

roads of Mill Hill, Wakefield Rd, Southgate & Jubilee Way. Residential properties

are located on Wakefield Road and Mill Hill. Following a review of monitoring

locations the number of diffusion tubes has been reduced to two. These are located

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3)

Year

140-R, 62 Wakefield Road, Featherstone AirQuality Objective Level



at properties on Mill Hill Road, which experiences the highest concentrations of NO2

within the AQMA, and are representative of relevant exposure (Figure 24).

Figure 24: Pontefract AQMA Boundary and Monitoring locations



Annual mean concentrations of NO2 at these two sites – sites 44-R, 6 Mill Hill Road

and 160-R, 9 Mill Hill Road – remains stable and below the AQOL at 34.1 and 33.4

µg/m3 respectively. The trend in results over five years at these two monitoring

locations is presented in Figure 25, below.

Figure 25: Pontefract AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

The drop in NO2 concentrations since 2016 can be attributed to the revised junction

layout reducing queuing traffic. The proposed South Featherstone Link Road

includes a connection to Wakefield Road with the intention of re-locating through

traffic and thus relieving congestion at this junction. Furthermore, the Pontefract

Masterplan includes a number of measures to improve traffic flow around the town

and links with public transport. It incorporates a “streets for People” demonstration

project on Horsefair in the town centre.

As stated in the 2018 Annual Status Report this AQMA will be considered for

revocation.

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3 )

Year

44-R, 6 Mill Hill Road 160-R, 9 Mill Hill Road Air Quality Objective Level

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/regeneration/major-projects/the-pontefract-masterplan

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/regeneration/major-projects/the-pontefract-masterplan



Knottingley AQMA

The Knottingley AQMA covers housing adjacent to the main road running through

the town centre as well as commercial, industrial and residential sites in the area.

There is now just a single two diffusion tube monitoring location at 86 Weeland

Road, site 2-R (Figure 26).

Figure 26: Knottingley AQMA Boundary and Monitoring Location



The annual mean NO2 concentration in 2019 at site 2-R was 34.7 µg/m3. The five-

year trend in annual means is presented in Figure 27, below.

Figure 27: Knottingley AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

The trend shows a stable level of ambient NO2 below the AQOL. The area has seen

industrial, commercial and residential development but also the closure of some

large sites in recent years, including Kellingley Colliery. The proposed Knottingley

Southern Relief Road, which is central to the Knottingley Development Framework

(see Table 2.2) would take a substantial volume of through traffic away from the Hill

Top area and the AQMA. The AQMA is under review.

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2A

nn

ual

Mea

n (

µg/

m3 )

Year

2-R, 86 Weeland Road, Knottingley Air Quality Objective Level



Hemsworth AQMA

The Hemsworth AQMA covers a small area on the main junction in the town centre,

known as the Cross Hill junction. There are relevant receptors including residential

and commercial properties very close to the junction (figure 28). Two diffusion tubes

are located within the AQMA (Site 143-R and Site 193-R).

Figure 28: Hemsworth AQMA Boundary and Monitoring Locations

In 2019 the annual mean concentration of NO2 in the atmosphere at both these

monitoring points remained below the AQOL at 32.6 µg/m3 at site 143-R and



35.3µg/m3 at site 193-R. The trend in annual mean NO2 concentrations is presented

in Figure XX, below.

Figure 29: Hemsworth AQMA NO2 Diffusion Tube Data Trend

The trend shows fairly stable levels of NO2. Monitoring will continue and the AQMA

will be considered for suitability for projects to reduce emissions and/or reduce

exposure, such as the Green Infrastructure project (see Table 2.2).

20

25

30

35

40

45

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

NO

2an

nu

al m

ean

(µ

g/m

3 )

Year

143-R, 8 Station Road, Hemsworth 193-R, 13 Market Street, Hemsworth




3.2.2 Particulate Matter (PM10)

Continuous monitoring of PM10 has been undertaken at the CM3 - Park Street

monitoring station since 2016, giving four years’ worth of data following a break in

the monitoring of particulate matter.

The particulate monitor at CM3 - Park Street is located within the Wakefield City

AQMA at OSGB36 coordinates 433718, 420371. All data for 2019 was ratified by

Wakefield Council’s external partner, Ricardo AEA.

After a slight increase in the annual mean concentration of PM10 in 2018, attributed

to major roadworks close to the monitoring station relating to the completion of the

Kirkgate Highway Regeneration Scheme, the annual mean for 2019 shows a fall

back towards the levels recorded in 2016 and 2017. The trend in annual mean PM10

concentrations is shown in Figure 30, below. The annual mean and the daily mean

both complied with the respective Air Quality Objective levels in 2019.

Figure 30: Trend in Annual Mean PM10 at CM3 - Park Street

The number of exceedances of the AQOL for the daily mean over the last four years

is presented in Figure 31, below. Breaches of the daily mean AQOL of 50µg/m3

must not exceed 35.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

2016 2017 2018 2019

µg/

m3

Year

Air Quality Objective Level PM10 annual mean, CM3-Park Street



Figure 31: No. of Breaches of Daily AQOL for PM10

Table A.5 in Appendix A compares the ratified and adjusted monitored PM10

annual mean concentrations for the past four years with the air quality objective of

40µg/m3.

Table A.6 in Appendix A compares the ratified continuous monitored PM10 daily

mean concentrations for the past four years with the air quality objective of

50µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year.

3.2.3 Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Continuous monitoring of PM2.5 has been undertaken at the CM3 - Park Street

monitoring station since 2016, giving four years’ worth of data following a break in

the monitoring of particulate matter.

The particulate monitor at CM3 - Park Street is located within the Wakefield City

AQMA at OSGB36 coordinates 433718, 420371. All data for 2019 was ratified by

Wakefield Council’s external partner, Ricardo AEA.

There is no AQOL for PM2.5 but there is a UK and EU Target value of 25 µg/m3 as

an annual mean with which all recorded results at the CM3 monitoring station

comply. However, the World Health Organisation guideline level of 10 μg/m3 has

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

2016

2017

2018

2019

No. of exceedances

Year

Times daily PM10 AQOL breached



been adopted in Scotland. Results from CM3 – Park Street were fractionally above

this guideline level in 2018 and 2019.

The trend in annual mean PM2.5 concentrations is shown in Figure 32, below.

Figure 32: Trend in Annual Mean PM2.5 at CM3 - Park Street

After a slight increase in the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 in 2018,

attributed to major roadworks close to the monitoring station relating to the

completion of the Kirkgate Highway Regeneration Scheme, the annual mean for

2019 shows a fall back towards the levels recorded in 2016 and 2017.

Table A.7 in Appendix A presents the ratified and adjusted monitored PM2.5 annual

mean concentrations for the past 5 years.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2016 2017 2018 2019

An

nu

al M

ean

PM

2.5

(µg/

m3)

Year

CM3 - Park Street Wakefield

EU/UK Target Value (except Scotland)

WHO guideline (and AQOL in Scotland)



Appendix A: Monitoring Results

Table A.1 - Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site ID

Site Name Site Type X OS Grid

Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref

(Northing)

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA?

Monitoring Technique

Distance to Relevant Exposure

(m) (1)

Distance to kerb of nearest

road (m) (2)

Inlet Height

(m)

CM1 Castleford Roadside 443360 425271 NOx YES Chemiluminescence 15 9 1.8

CM3 Wakefield (Park St)

Urban Background

433718 420371 NOx; PM10;

PM2.5 YES

Chemiluminescence; Optical Light Scattering

23 27 2.5

CM4 Wakefield (Newton

Bar) Roadside 432735 421838 NOx YES Chemiluminescence 21 4 1.8

Notes:

(1) 0m if the monitoring site is at a location of exposure (e.g. installed on the façade of a residential property).

(2) N/A if not applicable



Table A.2 – Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site ID Site Name Site Type X OS Grid

Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref

(Northing)

Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA?

Distance to Relevant Exposure

(m) (1)

Distance to kerb of nearest

road (m) (2)

Tube collocated

with a Continuous Analyser?

Height (m)

1 61, Leeds Road,

Newton Bar Roadside 332395 433175 NO2 Wakefield 0 3 NO 1.9

2 86 Weeland

Road, Knottingley

Roadside 332395 433175 NO2 Knottingley 0 3 NO 0

4 433 Castleford

Road, Normanton

Roadside 439782 423614 NO2 M62 0 4 NO 1.9

5 40 Whitwood

Common Lane, Castleford

Roadside 440607 424299 NO2 M62 0 7 NO 1.9

9 128 Doncaster

Road, Wakefield Roadside 434278 419602 NO2 Wakefield 0 5 NO 1.9

13 King Street, Wakefield

Roadside 432960 420941 NO2 Wakefield 0 1 NO 1.9

34 470 Denby Dale

Road East, Durkar

Urban Background

431330 417163 NO2 M1 0 65 NO 1.9

35 424 Denby Dale Road, Wakefield

Roadside 431552 417300 NO2 M1 0 10 NO 1.9

39 247 Batley

Road, Kirkhamgate

Urban Background

429539 422952 NO2 M1 0 37 NO 1.9



40 2 Pleasant View,

Lofthouse Urban

Background 431855 425354 NO2 M1 0 27 NO 1.9

42 1 West Park

Terrace, West Park

Roadside 448608 418886 NO2 A1 0 14 NO 1.9

44 6 Mill Hill Road,

Pontefract Roadside 445367 421517 NO2 Pontefract 0 6 NO 1.9

45 20 Savile Road,

Castleford Roadside 442647 425900 NO2 Castleford 0 2 NO 1.9

59 44 Denby Dale

Road, Wakefield Roadside 433033 420053 NO2 Wakefield 0 7 NO 1.9

65 99 Northgate,

Wakefield Roadside 433062 421223 NO2 Wakefield 0 10 NO 1.9

67 1 Arlington

Street, Newton Hill


94 125 Park Rd,

Castleford Roadside 444160 423977 NO2 M62 0 9 NO 1.9

106 Castlegate Farm Roadside 434981 425844 NO2 M62 0 31 NO 1.9

112 Newton Bar

AQM Roadside 432736 421838 NO2 Wakefield 21 8 YES 1.9

115 Anglers Country

Park Rural 437555 415380 NO2 No N/A 250 NO 1.9

116 Castleford AQM Roadside 443360 425271 NO2 Castleford 8 3 YES 1.9



119 Wakefield AQM Urban

Background 433716 420371 NO2 Wakefield 23 27 YES 1.9







123 Newton Bar


124 Newton Bar


125 17 Ferrybridge

Road, Castleford

Roadside 443253 425651 NO2 Castleford 0 14 NO 1.9

140 62 Wakefield

Road, Featherstone

Roadside 442501 419964 NO2 Featherstone 0 4 NO 1.9

143 8 Station Road,

Hemsworth Roadside 442901 413229 NO2 Hemsworth 0 2 NO 1.9

145 4 Barnsley

Road, Ackworth Roadside 443945 416365 NO2 Ackworth 0 4 NO 1.9

148 51 Barnsley Road, South

Elmsall Roadside 445939 411123 NO2 No 0 2 NO 1.9

153 39 High Street,

Horbury Roadside 429417 418229 NO2 No 0 2 NO 1.9

159 37 Dale Street,

Ossett Roadside 427880 420600 NO2 No 0 3 NO 1.9

160 9 Mill Hill Road,

Pontefract Roadside 445395 421513 NO2 Pontefract 0 5 NO 1.9

166 Park Lodge

House, Pontefract

Roadside 444936 422253 NO2 No 0 9 NO 1.9



173 2 Bar Lane Urban

Background 434106 422291 NO2 Wakefield 0 15 NO 1.9

174 238 Holywell

Lane, Castleford Roadside 445032 424751 NO2 M62 0 8 NO 1.9

176 1 Francis Street,

Castleford Urban

Background 443104 425847 NO2 Castleford 0 32 NO 1.9

177 2 Queen Street,

Castleford Roadside 443166 426019 NO2 No 0 3 NO 1.9

182 23 Butterfield Way, Newton

Hill (A650)

Urban Background

432786 422548 NO2 Wakefield 0 33 NO 1.9

184 329 Bradford Road (A650)


187

153 Wakefield Road

(Roundwood Ind.)


193 13 Market

Street, Hemsworth

Roadside 442843 413121 NO2 Hemsworth 0 3 NO 1.9

1 61, Leeds Road, Newton Bar


2 86 Weeland Road,

Knottingley

Roadside 332395 433175 NO2 Knottingley 0 3 NO 0

Notes:

(1) 0m if the monitoring site is at a location of exposure (e.g. installed on the façade of a residential property).

(2) N/A if not applicable.



Table A.3 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results

Site ID X OS Grid

Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref

(Northing) Site Type

Monitoring Type

Valid Data Capture

for Monitoring Period (%)

(1)

Valid Data

Capture 2019 (%)

(2)

NO2 Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m3) (3) (4)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

CM1 443360 425271 Roadside Automatic 100 91.96

27 22 24 26

CM3 433718 420371 Urban

Background Automatic 98 93.3

29 29 25 27

CM4 432735 421838 Roadside Automatic 100 93.86

29 26 29

1 332395 433175 Roadside Diffusion

Tube 83 50 52 44 41 40


Tube 100 35 34 33 35


Tube 100 36 39 34 34 34


Tube 100 33 35 31 30 32


Tube 100 44 44 39 33 42


Tube 100 37 32 31 28 29

34 431330 417163 Urban

Background Diffusion

Tube 100 30 31 30 31 31


Tube 100 33 38 38 32 33

39 429539 422952 Urban


Tube 100 27 33 33 31 39

40 431855 425354 Urban


Tube 100 33 35 38 35 35


Tube 100 38 40 37 31 32


Tube 100 34 37 34 33 34




Tube 100 37 39 35 35 35


Tube 92 30 34 34 26 33


Tube 83 51 45 34 34 52


Tube 75 28 29 34 26 26


Tube 100 28 30 28 26 28


Tube 100 27 32 34 28 28


Tube 100 32 30 25 28

115 437555 415380 Rural Diffusion

Tube 100 14 13 15 12 12


Tube 100 28 27 28 24 24


Tube 100 28 28 27 25 25


Tube 100 29 27 25 24

119 433716 420371 Urban


Tube 100 29 28 27 27 26

121 433716 420371 Urban


Tube 100 27 28 29 25 28

122 433716 420371 Urban


Tube 100 27 28 26 27


Tube 100 31 29 25 28


Tube 100 31 27 26 28


Tube 100 30 33 29 27 32


Tube 92 38 37 36 34 35




Tube 100 36 35 34 32 33


Tube 100 30 36 30 32 30


Tube 100 32 32 36 32 32


Tube 100 40 40 38 37 38


Tube 100 36 37 38 37 36


Tube 100 36 33 32 33


Tube 100 25 23 23 22

173 434106 422291 Urban


Tube 100 21 25 28 34


Tube 100 32 32 27 29

176 443104 425847 Urban


Tube 100 24 27 25 24


Tube 100 27 29 26 25

182 432786 422548 Urban


Tube 100 21 21 20 21


Tube 92 40 36 34 33


Tube 100 46 37 37 38


Tube 83 31 35 35

☒ Diffusion tube data has been bias corrected

☐ Annualisation has been conducted where data capture is <75%

☒ Reported concentrations are those at the location of the monitoring site (bias adjusted and annualised, as required), i.e. prior to any fall-off with

distance adjustment



Notes:

Exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.

NO2 annual means exceeding 60µg/m3, indicating a potential exceedance of the NO2 1-hour mean objective are shown in bold and underlined.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

(3) Means for diffusion tubes have been corrected for bias. All means have been “annualised” as per Boxes 7.9 and 7.10 in LAQM.TG16 if valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.

(4) Concentrations are those at the location of monitoring and not those following any fall-off with distance adjustment.



Table A.4 – 1-Hour Mean NO2 Monitoring Results

Site ID X OS Grid

Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref

(Northing) Site Type

Monitoring Type

Valid Data Capture for Monitoring

Period (%) (1)

Valid Data

Capture 2019 (%)

(2)

NO2 1-Hour Means > 200µg/m3 (3)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

CM1 443360 425271 Roadside Automatic

92.7 N/A 0(90) 0 0 0 (98)

CM3 433718 420371 Urban Background

Automatic

92.36 N/A 0 0 0 0 (93)

CM4 432735 421838 Roadside Automatic 93.86 N/A N/A 0(35) 0 0 (118)

Notes:

Exceedances of the NO2 1-hour mean objective (200µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times/year) are shown in bold.



(3) If the period of valid data is less than 85%, the 99.8th percentile of 1-hour means is provided in brackets.



Table A.5 – Annual Mean PM10 Monitoring Results

Site ID

X OS Grid Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref (Northing)

Site Type Valid Data Capture for

Monitoring Period (%) (1)

Valid Data Capture 2019 (%)

(2)

PM10 Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m3) (3)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019


99.76

16 14 19 17


Notes:

Exceedances of the PM10 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.



(3) All means have been “annualised” as per Boxes 7.9 and 7.10 in LAQM.TG16, valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.



Table A.6 – 24-Hour Mean PM10 Monitoring Results

Site ID




Monitoring Period (%) (1) Valid Data Capture

2019 (%) (2)

PM10 24-Hour Means > 50µg/m3

(3)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019


99.76 N/A 6 5 5 6

Notes:

Exceedances of the PM10 24-hour mean objective (50µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times/year) are shown in bold.



(3) If the period of valid data is less than 85%, the 90.4th percentile of 24-hour means is provided in brackets.



Table A.7 – PM2.5 Monitoring Results

Site ID




Monitoring Period (%) (1)

Valid Data Capture 2019 (%)

(2)

PM2.5 Annual Mean Concentration (µg/m3) (3)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019


99.81 N/A 10 9 12 11


Notes:



(3) All means have been “annualised” as per Boxes 7.9 and 7.10 in LAQM.TG16, valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.



Appendix B: Full Monthly Diffusion Tube Results for 2019

Table B.1 - NO2 Monthly Diffusion Tube Results - 2019

Site ID X OS

Grid Ref (Easting)

Y OS Grid Ref

(Northing)

NO2 Mean Concentrations (µg/m3)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Annual Mean

Raw Data

Bias Adjusted

(local factor = 0.91)(1)

Distance Corrected to Nearest Exposure

(2)

1 332395 433175 65

51 50 47 51 27 50 37 23 38

43.9 39.9 39.9

2 332395 433175 63 41 55 36 34 35 31 33 34 32 22 41 38.1 34.7 34.7

4 439782 423614 52 41 42 53 41 37 27 32 27 41 31 18 36.8 33.5 33.5

5 440607 424299 51 48 32 49 39 32 20 32 22 33 31 34 35.3 32.1 32.1

9 434278 419602 55 53 57 43 45 36 33 78 32 44 36 40 46.0 41.9 41.9

13 432960 420941 49 41 37 36 30 33 27 21 33 26 31 24 32.3 29.4 29.4

34 431330 417163 51 44 39 35 34 31 24 33 19 32 31 31 33.7 30.7 30.7

35 431552 417300 51 41 39 43 40 29 19 31 36 26 39 34 35.7 32.5 32.5

39 429539 422952 57 109 46 22 34 33 33 37 35 33 30 38 42.3 38.5 38.5

40 431855 425354 54 47 50 36 26 37 40 34 38 41 26 35 38.7 35.2 35.2

42 448608 418886 39 55 44 26 37 33 14 43 41 25 32 38 35.6 32.4 32.4

44 445367 421517 52 52 46 45 22 37 22 32 30 34 37 41 37.5 34.1 34.1

45 442647 425900 53 50 38 49 42 34 19 32 34 30 41 42 38.7 35.2 35.2

59 433033 420053 45 83 34 35 29 26 26 27 29 34 30 36.2 32.9 32.9



65 433062 421223 71 65 64 55 57 55 72 36 57 39 57.1 52.0 52.0

67 432751 421838 40 40 31 22 14 21 26 35 27 28.4 25.8 25.8

94 444160 423977 50 44 33 23 31 18 19 32 21 35 24 37 30.6 27.8 27.8

106 434981 425844 43 36 32 40 33 30 29 21 27 28 25 20 30.3 27.6 27.6

112 432736 421838 40 40 36 25 26 24 23 27 29 36 36 31 31.1 28.3 28.3

115 437555 415380 20 18 12 15 11 11 10 9 13 15 12 14 13.3 12.1 12.1

116 443360 425271 40 33 27 23 26 25 20 22 21 30 24 20 25.9 23.6 23.6

117 443360 425271 47 33 30 23 29 24 25 20 28 25 21 26 27.6 25.1 25.1

118 443360 425271 50 38 28 26 24 23 8 19 29 29 21 26 26.8 24.4 24.4

119 433716 420371 51 34 38 33 20 21 11 33 25 30 22 28 28.8 26.2 26.2

121 433716 420371 45 44 36 32 28 24 23 30 20 29 23 30 30.3 27.6 27.6

122 433716 420371 34 43 38 28 29 25 32 28 16 28 24 32 29.8 27.1 27.1

123 432736 421838 43 39 35 26 24 26 21 24 29 32 37 34 30.8 28.0 28.0

124 432736 421838 44 40 36 27 26 29 23 27 20 32 40 26 30.8 28.0 28.0

125 443253 425651 48 29 36 42 36 32 29 27 26 46 39 32 35.2 32.0 32.0

140 442501 419964 48 47 39 45 35 37 32 31 38 29 40 38.3 34.9 34.9

143 442901 413229 42 41 34 49 42 39 30 27 34 31 21 39 35.8 32.6 32.6

145 443945 416365 45 34 32 54 37 30 29 26 26 31 21 29 32.8 29.8 29.8

148 445939 411123 44 47 38 48 38 26 24 29 31 31 33 37 35.5 32.3 32.3

153 429417 418229 63 52 48 50 43 42 25 38 40 35 30 37 41.9 38.1 38.1

159 427880 420600 55 55 48 45 42 37 30 36 33 33 34 28 39.7 36.1 36.1

160 445395 421513 41 46 34 61 39 40 31 32 31 31 22 32 36.7 33.4 33.4

166 444936 422253 36 33 20 38 20 23 16 12 22 24 19 24 23.9 21.7 21.7

173 434106 422291 47 44 41 41 37 32 26 32 32 41 33 39 37.1 33.8 33.8

174 445032 424751 48 31 41 32 33 26 27 29 30 33 19 35 32.0 29.1 29.1

176 443104 425847 37 39 31 25 24 18 24 22 22 28 19 31 26.7 24.3 24.3



177 443166 426019 45 39 36 26 27 21 24 24 19 21 22 26 27.5 25.0 25.0

182 432786 422548 38 35 21 19 19 19 21 19 18 19 24 24 23.0 20.9 20.9

184 431732 423196 39 44 36 36 39 34 38 33 39 30 33 36.5 33.2 33.2

187 430143 420505 51 58 39 54 49 45 22 29 35 40 52 32 42.2 38.4 38.4

193 442843 413121 42 35 35 71 44 42 25 25 33 36 38.8 35.3 35.3

☒ Local bias adjustment factor used

☐ National bias adjustment factor used


☐ Where applicable, data has been distance corrected for relevant exposure in the final column

Notes:

Exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.

NO2 annual means exceeding 60µg/m3, indicating a potential exceedance of the NO2 1-hour mean objective are shown in bold and underlined.

(1) See Appendix C for details on bias adjustment and annualisation.

(2) Distance corrected to nearest relevant public exposure.



Appendix C: Supporting Technical Information / Air Quality Monitoring Data QA/QC Quality Assurance and Control

Automatic Monitoring The automatic monitoring stations are covered by service and repair contracts

provided by an outside organisation. Calibration is undertaken automatically and

verified by monthly manual calibration as part of an internal monitoring quality

assurance and control procedure that follows the Automatic Urban Monitoring Network

site operator’s procedures.

PM Monitoring Adjustment

The Palas Fidas 200 measures both PM10 and PM2.5 at the same time. Data are

processed by an inbuilt algorithm, and the algorithm known as Method 11 has been

certified in the UK8. The Method 11 PM10 data has been certified for use without the

need for correction for slope and/or intercept. The Method 11 PM2.5 data has been

certified for use after correction for slope by dividing by 1.06. Thus, all PM2.5 data has

been corrected by this method.

Diffusion Tube Bias Adjustment Factors

The nitrogen dioxide passive diffusion tubes are a screening method and not as precise

or accurate as the continuous chemiluminescence method. Provided that care is taken

with the storage, handling and analysis of the tubes, and an appropriate “bias

adjustment” factor is applied, the overall uncertainty of the annual mean is expected to

be about +/-20%. The key issues to be considered are the performance of the

laboratory, the precision of the diffusion tubes, and the application of a suitable bias

adjustment factor.

8 https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/monitoring-methods?view=mcerts-scheme

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/monitoring-methods?view=mcerts-scheme



Details of the tube preparation and performance are set out below.

Tube Supplier - Harwell Laboratories

Preparation Method - 50% Triethylamine (TEA) in acetone

Analytical Laboratory - West Yorkshire Analytical Services (WYAS)

Laboratory QA/QC - WASP and UK NO2 Network Harmonisation

Bias adjustment of diffusion tubes is required as they can under or over read compared

with the chemiluminescence method. This is achieved by directly comparing results

from collocating tubes with a continuous monitor. This provides a ‘Local Bias

Adjustment Factor’. In addition, these factors are added to a national database that

calculates a ‘Regional Bias Adjustment Factor’. This factor is shown below.

West Yorkshire Analytical Services Regional Bias Factor

Year Factor

2016 0.75

2017 0.78

2018 0.80

2019 0.80

Factor from Local Co-location Studies

Diffusion tube collocation has been undertaken following guidance set out in Chapter

7 of the Technical Guidance (TG.16)9. The diffusion tube bias adjustment factor has

been calculated using the same guidance. The factors are set out below.

Local Co-Location Bias Adjustment Factors

Site Type

Bias Factor

2016 2017 2018 2019

Roadside 0.78 0.76 0.78 0.93

Background 0.70 0.71 0.78 0.88

Regional 0.75 0.78 0.80 0.80

9 http://laqm.defra.gov.uk/supporting-guidance.html

http://laqm.defra.gov.uk/supporting-guidance.html



Discussion of Choice of Factor to Use

Duplicate and triplicate tubes have been collocated at continuous monitoring stations

with different site types (kerbside to background) to enable a similarly located tube to

be correctly adjusted. Thus, a tube located within 5m to 15m (roadside) has been

adjusted using a roadside bias adjustment factor.

The local bias correction factor has been chosen rather than the ‘Regional Factor’

because it more closely represents local conditions and, because the local factor is

higher than the regional factor, represents the “worst case scenario”. The trend in

results shows a distinct difference with the regional bias. The NO2 diffusion tube results

presented in this report have been corrected using a combined roadside and

background factor of 0.91. It is recognised that this is not as accurate as using the

individual local factors but is considered to more closely reflect local conditions than

the regional bias correction factor, which differed significantly from the local factors for

2019.

Diffusion Tube Precision

As part of the diffusion tube quality assurance and control regime duplicate and

triplicate collocation of tubes with chemiluminescence monitors is undertaken to

establish the precision of the tubes as well as bias. Precision is the ability of a

measurement to be consistently reproduced, i.e. how similar the results of duplicate or

triplicate tubes are to each other. TG (16) categorises ‘Good’ precision as “coefficient

of variation (CV) for eight or more periods during the year is less than 20%, and the

average CV of all monitoring periods is less than 10%”, ‘Poor’ precision as “CV for

four or more months is greater than 20% and/or average CV is greater than 10%”. The

results are detailed below.

Collocation Site

Precision (CV %)

2016 2017 2018 2019

Castleford 6 8 8 9

Park Street 8 8 9 10

Newton Bar 9 8 7



Further quality assurance and control is provided the AIR NO2 Proficiency Testing

Scheme. AIR is an independent analytical proficiency-testing (PT) scheme, operated

by LGC Standards and supported by the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL). AIR PT

is a new scheme, started in April 2014, which combined two long running PT schemes:

LGC Standards STACKS PT scheme and HSL WASP PT scheme.

AIR offers a number of test samples designed to test the proficiency of laboratories

undertaking analysis of chemical pollutants in ambient indoor, stack and workplace air.

One such sample is the AIR NO2 test sample type that is distributed to participants in

a quarterly basis. The latest round of reporting for the West Yorkshire facility (January

to November 2019) is SATISFACTORY.

Annualisation

Annualisation is used to estimate an annual mean concentration where data is

collected for less than 75% of the monitoring period, i.e. in the case of diffusion tube

results, fewer than 9 months out of twelve. In 2019 none of the monitoring sites

returned less than 75% data. Annualisation was therefore not required for any

monitoring site.

Distance Correction

Distance correction using the NO2 fall-off as discussed in Paragraphs 7.77-7.79 of

LAQM.TG16 is used to represent the values at the nearest receptor where monitoring

is located either closer or further away. None of the diffusion tube deployed in 2019

required distance correction.



Appendix D: Maps of Monitoring Locations and AQMAs

Figure 33: Location of continuous monitoring stations

Figure 34: CM1 - Castleford Continuous Monitoring Station



Figure 35: CM3 - Park Street, Wakefield Continuous Monitoring Station

Figure 36: CM4 - Newton Bar, Wakefield Continuous Monitoring Station



Figure 37: AQMA and diffusion tube locations



Appendix E: Summary of Air Quality Objectives in England

Table E.1 – Air Quality Objectives in England

Pollutant Air Quality Objective10

Concentration Measured as

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

200 µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year

1-hour mean

40 µg/m3 Annual mean

Particulate Matter (PM10)

50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year

24-hour mean

40 µg/m3 Annual mean

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)


1-hour mean


24-hour mean


15-minute mean

10 The units are in microgrammes of pollutant per cubic metre of air (µg/m3).



Glossary of Terms

Abbreviation Description

AQAP Air Quality Action Plan - A detailed description of measures, outcomes, achievement dates and implementation methods, showing how the local authority intends to achieve air quality limit values’

AQMA Air Quality Management Area – An area where air pollutant concentrations exceed / are likely to exceed the relevant air quality objectives. AQMAs are declared for specific pollutants and objectives

AQOL Air Quality Objective Level (see Appendix E)

ASR Air quality Annual Status Report

Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

DMRB Design Manual for Roads and Bridges – Air quality screening tool produced by Highways England

EU European Union

FDMS Filter Dynamics Measurement System

LAQM Local Air Quality Management

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide

NOx Nitrogen Oxides

PM10 Airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10µm (micrometres or microns) or less

PM2.5 Airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5µm or less

QA/QC Quality Assurance and Quality Control

SO2 Sulphur Dioxide