Updating and Screening Assessment 2012 - Oxford · or New Relevant Exposure has been introduced ... self-employed, there are around 120,000 jobs in Oxford, ... LAQM USA 2012 8 0.78

Environmental Development

Updating and Screening Assessment 2012 In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management May 2012

LAQM USA 2012 2

Local Authority Officer

Roger Pitman

Department Environmental Development

Address St Aldate’s Chambers, 109 St Aldate’s

Telephone 01865-252380

e-mail [email protected]

Report Reference number

Date May 2012

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Executive Summary

This report is to fulfil the requirements under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to provide an Annual Progress Report on Local Air Quality Management in Oxford in 2011. The report provides an update on the annual report made in 2010.

The findings of the report support the previous report’s conclusions in relation to the failure to meet the air quality objectives in Oxford for Nitrogen Dioxide. The monitoring carried out over the previous year provides evidence of continued exceedence of both the annual mean and hourly mean objectives. There are some marked increases in the frequency of hourly exceedences in St Aldate’s, a street that is heavily dominated by bus traffic with a high density of bus stops.

The whole of the city of Oxford remains as an AQMA, thus all of the monitoring takes place within the AQMA boundary, and there is no requirement for a detailed assessment in relation to further AQMA’s within the City.

This report includes trends in air quality between 2000 and 2011, with specific data illustrated for the period 2007-2011. There are three distinct periods for trends in Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution highlighted, with key factors

2000-2004: Increasing levels of NO2 – promotion of public transport, following 2000 Oxford Transport Strategy (OTS)

2004-2009: Decreasing levels of NO2 – impact of OTS traffic restrictions and newer vehicles

2009-2011: Increasing levels of NO2 – impact of extreme winters, and changes to bus priority routes, introduction of new hybrid buses. In central Oxford, Buses and Coaches make a significant contribution to the total mix of polluting emissions, the most recent measurements highlight that in Oxford High Street there is a marked reduction, whilst in St Aldate’s there is an increase, particularly in exceedences of the hourly objective. These results point to the impact of localised congestion and differences in street geometry. The management of traffic congestion within central Oxford has been recognised as a priority measure within the LTP, as a means of limiting the impact of vehicle pollution. These results highlight that this issue remains a priority in central Oxford. The central Oxford Low Emission Zone (LEZ) focussing on Public Service Vehicles operating in central Oxford, is due to be proceeded through the application for a Traffic Regulation Condition during 2012. Full implementation remains scheduled from 1st January 2014. The current Local Transport Plan has acknowledged the need to develop and increase the use of high quality, welcoming public transport as a key factor that can contribute to a low carbon sustainable transport system in Oxford. The aim of the LEZ is to promote the uptake of cleaner greener buses and coaches and leading to reduced pollution emissions, and improvements in local air quality. The availability of

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funding to local bus operators through the Green Bus Fund has led to a significant increase in the numbers of electric hybrid buses now operating in central Oxford. Future work in this area has to account for the trade-offs between measures that are positive in relation to air quality benefit but prove to be negative in terms of contribution to carbon or greenhouse gas emissions, or vice-versa. The City Council maintains an ambition to continue to develop local measures to address these problems that can be clearly linked to reducing pollution emissions thus contributing to reductions in air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. The City Council is progressing this ambition by an integrated approach to developing a city-wide emissions inventory and the production a Low Emission Strategy.

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Table of contents

1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 7

1.1 Description of Local Authority Area ................................................................................... 7

1.2 Purpose of Report ............................................................................................................ 11

1.3 Air Quality Objectives ...................................................................................................... 11

1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments ............................................................ 13

2 New Monitoring Data ..................................................................................... 16

2.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken ................................................................................ 16

2.1.1 Automatic Monitoring Sites .............................................................................................. 16

2.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites ...................................................................................... 17

2.2 Comparison of Monitoring Results with AQ Objectives ................................................... 20

2.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide Results ................................................................................................. 20

2.2.2 Particulate Matter Monitoring Results .............................................................................. 28

2.2.3 Benzene Monitoring Results ............................................................................................ 31

2.2.4 Other Monitoring Results : Ozone ................................................................................... 32

2.2.5 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives ............................................................... 33

3 Road Traffic Sources ..................................................................................... 34

3.1 Narrow Congested Streets with Residential Properties Close to the Kerb ..................... 34

3.2 Busy Streets Where People May Spend 1-hour or More Close to Traffic ....................... 34

3.3 Roads with a High Flow of Buses and/or HGVs. ............................................................. 34

3.4 Junctions .......................................................................................................................... 34

3.5 New Roads Constructed or Proposed Since the ............................................................. 35

Last Round of Review and Assessment .......................................................................... 35

3.6 Roads with Significantly Changed Traffic Flows .............................................................. 35

3.7 Bus and Coach Stations .................................................................................................. 35

4 Other Transport Sources ............................................................................... 36

4.1 Airports ............................................................................................................................. 36

4.2 Railways (Diesel and Steam Trains) ............................................................................... 36

4.2.1 Stationary Trains .............................................................................................................. 36

4.2.2 Moving Trains .................................................................................................................. 36

4.3 Ports (Shipping) ............................................................................................................... 36

5 Industrial Sources .......................................................................................... 37

5.1 Industrial Installations ...................................................................................................... 37

5.1.1 New or Proposed Installations for which an Air Quality Assessment .............................. 37

has been Carried Out ...................................................................................................... 37

5.1.2 Existing Installations where Emissions have increased substantially ............................. 37

or New Relevant Exposure has been introduced ............................................................ 37

5.1.3 New or Significantly Changed Installations with No Previous Air Quality Assessment ... 37

5.2 Major Fuel (Petrol) Storage Depots ................................................................................. 37

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5.3 Petrol Stations.................................................................................................................. 38

5.4 Poultry Farms................................................................................................................... 38

6 Commercial and Domestic Sources ............................................................. 39

6.1 Biomass Combustion – Individual Installations ............................................................... 39

6.2 Biomass Combustion – Combined Impacts ..................................................................... 39

6.3 Domestic Solid-Fuel Burning ........................................................................................... 39

7 Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources ................................................................. 40

8 Conclusions and Proposed Actions ............................................................. 41

8.1 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data .......................................................................... 41

8.2 Conclusions from Assessment of Sources ...................................................................... 41

8.3 Proposed Actions ............................................................................................................. 42

9 References ...................................................................................................... 43

Appendix 1 QA/QC and Data validation ................................................................ 44

List of Tables

Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for LAQM in England Table 1.2 Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment Table 2.1 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 2.2 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites Table 2.3a Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison

with Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3) Table 2.3b Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective Table 2.4 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes in 2011

Table 2.5 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes (2007 to 2011)

Table 2.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring of PM10: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Comparison with 24- hour mean Objective Table 2.8 Results of Benzene Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective Table 2.9 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Ozone: Comparison with

Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3)

List of Figures

Figure 1 Central Oxfordshire Sub-Region

Figure 2 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire

Figure 3 City-wide AQMA showing AQ hotspots

Figure 4 City-wide AQMA Boundary (marked in red) Figure 5 Location Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites Figure 6 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary (2011-12) Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Sites Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations

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1 Introduction

1.1 Description of Local Authority Area

Oxford is the administrative centre of Oxfordshire, with a resident population of

153,700 (2010). It is a University City, as well as a commercial, business and

shopping centre and has a daytime population of 180,000 with a large transient

population, including an estimated 31,000 full-time students. Approximately 7.6

million people visit the City every year. It covers an area of 17.6 square miles. Its

location in relation to the other Local Authorities and the administrative boundary of

Oxford are shown below.

Oxford is centrally located within

England, with easy access to

international airports, the railway

network, and the M40 motorway.

Oxford is a compact city with a unique

and world-renowned built heritage. The

city is a densely packed urban space -

covering 46 sq km (29 sq miles) - with

very high levels of housing density.

It lies on the Thames River, about 50

miles (80 km) northwest of London, and

is considered as a development and

transport hub within the region.

Figure 1 Central Oxfordshire Sub-Region

Oxford plays a central role in the economy of Oxfordshire. The city has a world-class

reputation in the education (Universities), healthcare (Hospitals) sectors, offering a

base for other major employers involved in car manufacturing; printing and

publishing. The city is home to around 3,400 businesses and in total, including the

self-employed, there are around 120,000 jobs in Oxford, which provides more jobs

than the working age population of 109,000. The job density in Oxford being more

than 1 job per person at a ratio of 1.08, compared to 0.80 for the South-East and

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0.78 for Great Britain. Oxford makes a significant contribution to the national and

regional economy. In 2005 it was estimated that the City contributed £4.1 billion p.a

to the economic output of the nation.

The over-arching strategy for the city has been to strengthen and diversify Oxford’s

economy and provide a range of job opportunities across the city. The long term

vision is to promote Oxford as a centre of excellence for higher education, health

services, medical and scientific research.

About half of Oxford’s workforce live outside the city, which does mean there is a

high level of in-commuting and highlights the importance of transport links into the

City. In 2001, around 40,000 people travelled into the city for work, and 15,000

Oxford residents commuted out of the city.

Almost a third of all jobs in Oxford are in the public sector, such as health, social

care, education and local government; whilst another one-fifth of jobs are in the two

Universities. Taken together the Universities and public sector jobs account for half of

Oxford’s jobs (by comparison across the UK these sectors only account for one

quarter of all jobs). Key private sector industries include publishing & IT,

manufacturing, retail, hotels and restaurants.

In comparison to other UK cities Oxford has a uniquely poor level of housing

affordability. Oxford has the second highest average house price of any UK city –

behind London – but average wages are similar to those paid in Swindon and Milton

Keynes where house prices are much lower. This creates a barrier to attracting

people to live and work in the city.

Approximately 9.3 million people visit the City every year. It covers an area of 17.6

square miles. Its location in relation to the other Local Authorities and the

administrative boundary of Oxford are shown below. Oxfordshire is the most rural

county in the south east, with over half its population living in rural communities.

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Figure 2 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire

Oxford City Council is the central Local Authority District within Oxfordshire, a centre

of significant change, and a growth point.

Oxford’s employment strategy promotes a policy of ‘managed economic growth’,

which seeks to secure the long-term future of its key sectors, whilst taking account of

land supply constraints, and the need to improve the balance between jobs and

housing supply. In Oxford’s context, managed growth means growth that is

appropriately located in Oxford to take advantage of the city’s existing strengths, e.g.

spin-out companies related to the universities, hospitals and medical/scientific

research, rather than growth that could be located in any UK city.

There are three strategic locations with future potential for significant growth in

Oxford. This includes the allocation of one strategic employment site at the Northern

Gateway (North), and the protection and modernisation of Oxford’s key employment

sites. The West End Area (City centre) will provide some employment growth

together with some residential development. The Land at Barton (North-East) will be

developed principally for residential use (800-1200 dwellings).

Oxford’s policy approach therefore seeks to positively plan for the future economic

and housing growth needs of the city in a context of constrained land availability and

the need to protect the historic environment and contribute to sustainable

development. The spatial strategy relies on a hierarchy of centres which directs

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major to these centres which are accessible and well served by public transport and

promotes sustainable travel.

Figure 3 City-wide AQMA showing AQ hotspots

A City-wide AQMA has been declared in 2010 following the identification of a total of eight air pollution hot spots within the 2008 Detailed Assessment Report, as shown above. The requirement for a city-wide action plan has been identified within the current Local Transport Plan 2011-2016. The LTP for Oxford prioritises reducing congestion, developing and increasing the use of high quality welcoming public transport, and to develop and increase cycling and walking for local journeys, recreation and health. The City is also currently developing a city-wide Low Emission strategy to consider further options for integrating local policies. This particularly relates to transport planning and air quality, as well as considering the combined impacts of policies on all emissions (i.e greenhouse gas, carbon, and air pollution). The centre of Oxford has been declared as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) since 2001, with modifications in 2003. An Air Quality Action Plan was jointly developed with Oxfordshire County Council, and integrated with the Local Transport Plan in 2006. Pollution levels in Oxford have broadly been rising during the period from 2000 to 2006, and have only shown reductions in the three years following 2006, with signs of increases in the last two years (See Figure 2.3).

The Air Quality problems in Oxford are generated from road transport sources, focussing on busy congested streets typically in local centres including the centre of

Crown Copyright OXFORD CITY COUNCIL LA 078921

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the city, and some of the busiest junctions, mostly roundabouts with the ring-road on the edge of the city. Previous Local Air Quality Management Reports have documented the areas of poor air quality within the city. Emissions in the City-centre are significantly influenced by buses and coaches, comprising more than 60% of the total traffic emissions.

The result of the 2006 Action Plan for the City Centre has been the declaration in April 2009 of a bus and coach Low Emission Zone (LEZ), for central Oxford from 2014.

1.2 Purpose of Report

This report fulfils the requirements of the Local Air Quality Management process as

set out in Part IV of the Environment Act (1995), the Air Quality Strategy for England,

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 2007 and the relevant Policy and Technical

Guidance documents. The LAQM process places an obligation on all local authorities

to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas, and to determine whether or

not the air quality objectives are likely to be achieved. Where exceedences are

considered likely, the local authority must then declare an Air Quality Management

Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the

measures it intends to put in place in pursuit of the objectives.

The objective of this Updating and Screening Assessment is to identify any matters

that have changed which may lead to risk of an air quality objective being exceeded.

A checklist approach and screening tools are used to identify significant new sources

or changes and whether there is a need for a Detailed Assessment. The USA report

should provide an update of any outstanding information requested previously in

Review and Assessment reports. The previous report issued in this series was the

2011 Progress Report.

1.3 Air Quality Objectives

The air quality objectives applicable to LAQM in England are set out in the Air

Quality (England) Regulations 2000 (SI 928), The Air Quality (England) (Amendment)

Regulations 2002 (SI 3043), and are shown in Table 1.1. This table shows the

objectives in units of microgrammes per cubic metre g/m3 (milligrammes per cubic

metre, mg/m3 for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year

that are permitted (where applicable).

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Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of LAQM in England

Pollutant

Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by Concentration Measured as

Benzene

16.25 µg/m3 Running annual mean

31.12.2003

5.00 µg/m3 Running

annual mean 31.12.2010

1,3-Butadiene 2.25 µg/m3 Running

annual mean 31.12.2003

Carbon monoxide 10.0 mg/m3 Running 8-hour

mean 31.12.2003

Lead 0.5 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2004

0.25 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2008

Nitrogen dioxide

200 µg/m3 not to be

exceeded more than 18 times a year

1-hour mean 31.12.2005

40 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2005

Particles (PM10) (gravimetric)

50 µg/m3, not to be


24-hour mean 31.12.2004

40 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2004

Sulphur dioxide



1-hour mean 31.12.2004



24-hour mean 31.12.2004



15-minute mean

31.12.2005

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1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments

A summary of the results of the previous rounds of review and assessment of air quality in Oxford are shown in table 1.2 below.

Table 1.2 : Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment

ROUND 1 Review and Assessment

Review Process

Objectives likely to be met

Objectives not likely to be met

Comments

Stage 1 and Stage 2 January 1999.

Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead.

Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Sulphur Dioxide.

Main emission source is road traffic for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Possibility of short-term exceedences of 15 min SO2 objective due to Didcot Power Station. Further review of SO2 emissions from small boilers Stage 3 required for NO2.

Stage 3 January 2001.

Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide, PM10 Particulate Matter.

Nitrogen Dioxide. Recommended declaration of AQMA for the city centre based upon exceedence of annual NO2

objective, mainly due to road traffic emissions. PM10

Particulate Matter and SO2 examined at this stage. Not considered necessary to proceed further.

Stage 4 July 2003.

Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide, PM10 Particulate Matter.

Nitrogen Dioxide. Confirmation of existing AQMA, with some geographical additions. Highlights the impact of streets with high proportion of buses and HGVs, and the significance of bus stops and congested traffic in the central area.


Review Process



Comments

Updating and Screening Assessment Report Nov 2003.

Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide.

Nitrogen Dioxide, PM10 Particulate Matter.

Concluded that a detailed assessment was required for nitrogen dioxide outside the AQMA, and for PM10 particulate matter inside the AQMA.

Detailed Assessment Report June 2004.

Carbon Monoxide,

Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide.

Nitrogen Dioxide,

PM10 Particulate Matter.

Recommended declaration of AQMA for Green Road roundabout based upon exceedence of annual NO2 objective. Further assessment required at other locations. Some exceedence of hourly mean NO2 objective in AQMA. Further review for PM10 Particulate Matter objective for 2010.

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ROUND 2 Review and Assessment (continued)

Review Process


Objectives not likely to be met Comments

Progress Report 2005

Carbon Monoxide,

Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead,

Sulphur Dioxide

PM10 Particulate Matter (2004 objectives)

Nitrogen Dioxide

PM10 Particulate Matter

(2010 objectives)

Nitrogen Dioxide hourly objective met. Annual mean objective exceeded at Green Road Roundabout, new AQMA declared. Further assessments when updated traffic data available.

Further monitoring in AQMA to assess compliance with annual PM10 objective for 2010


Updating and Screening Assessment Report April 2006

Carbon Monoxide,


Sulphur Dioxide


Nitrogen Dioxide

Detailed Assessment required for annual and hourly mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide, at locations identified within the report.

Consider Detailed Assessment at a later stage for 2010 annual mean PM10 objective.

Detailed Assessment Report April 2007

Carbon Monoxide,


Sulphur Dioxide


Nitrogen Dioxide

Further Assessment required for annual mean objective at locations identified within the report, including re-defining existing AQMA’s.

Progress Report and Detailed Assessment May 2008

Carbon Monoxide,


Sulphur Dioxide


Nitrogen Dioxide Amendments to existing AQMA’s in Central Oxford and Green Road roundabout. New AQMA’s at six further locations as defined in the report for exceedences of annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide.


Review Process



Comments

Updating and Screening Assessment Report 2009

Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide PM10 Particulate Matter

Nitrogen Dioxide

Upheld conclusions of 2008 Detailed Assessment. Council to declare a City-wide AQMA to encompass all the AQ hotspots. Continued exceedence of the annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide, at locations identified within the report.

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Carbon Monoxide,


Sulphur Dioxide


Nitrogen Dioxide

Trends in monitoring data highlight general reductions in concentrations across the city, with a few increases. No evidence of further hot-spots identified from new monitoring sites. City wide AQMA will require air quality assessments of future major developments.


Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur Dioxide


Nitrogen Dioxide

The monitoring carried out over the previous year provides evidence of continued exceedence of both the annual mean and hourly mean objectives. 2009-2010: Increasing levels of NO2 – impact of extreme winters, and changes to bus priority routes

Figure 4 City-wide AQMA Boundary (marked in red). Declared for exceedence of annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide

Based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping with permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Oxford City Council LA 078921

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2 New Monitoring Data

2.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

2.1.1 Automatic Monitoring Sites

Table 2.1 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

* Oxford St Aldate’s Automated Urban Network (SO2, CO discontinued at Oxford St Aldate’s from 2007)

**St Ebbe’s Affiliated site to Automated Urban Network (FDMS PM10 and PM2.5 added in December 2008)

Figure 5 Location Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type OS Grid Ref Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

?

Relevant Exposure?

(Y/N with distance (m) to

relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of

nearest road (N/A if not applicable)

Worst-case

Location?

St Aldate’s*

AUN

Urban Centre

X 451359

Y 206152 NO2 Y Y (1m) 3m Y

High Street

Urban Centre

X 451677

Y 206272 NO2

PM10

Y Y (1m) 2m Y

St Ebbe’s**

AUN

Urban Background

X 451164

Y 205386

NO2

PM2.5

PM10

Ozone

Y Y (10m) 5m N

Crown Copyright OXFORD CITY COUNCIL LA 078921

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2.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Table 2.2 Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Site Name Site Type

OS Grid Ref Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA?

Relevant Exposure?

(Y/N with distance (m) to relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of nearest road

(N/A if not applicable)

Worst-case Location?

THAMES ST R 451338 205645 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y

THAMES/TRINITY ST R 450924 205791 NO2 Y Y ~20m N

THAMES/OXPENS K 450891 205823 NO2 Y N ~1m Y

PIKE TERR UB 451153 205847 NO2 Y Y ~29m Y

SPEEDWELL/LITTLEGATE R 451207 205780 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

BUTTERWYKE / THAMES R 451265 205703 NO2 Y Y (5m) ~2m Y

FLOYD'S ROW K 451409 205808 NO2 Y Y (1m) ~3m Y

HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LN R 450669 206052 NO2 Y Y (2m) ~2m Y

BECKETT ST/PK END ST R 450565 206217 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y

PARK END ST K 451044 206210 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~3m Y

NEW RD R 450886 206276 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~3.5m Y

WORCESTER ST R 450938 206410 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~2m Y

GEORGE ST K 451001 206340 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y

GEORGE ST/MAGDALEN ST K 451226 206398 NO2 Y Y(2m) <1m Y

BEAUMONT ST K 451159 206516 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y

ST GILES ASHMOLEAN R 451218 206564 NO2 Y Y (2m) ~3m N

KEBLE RD R 451189 206991 NO2 Y N ~8.5m (main road) N

UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS RD K 451410 206876 NO2 Y N ~1m Y

BROAD STREET K 451435 206439 NO2 Y N (2m) ~1m Y

LONGWALL ST K 451967 206258 NO2 Y Y (1m) ~1m Y

YORK PLACE R 452326 206015 NO2 Y Y(3.5m) ~15m N

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Site Name Site Type

OS Grid Ref Pollutants Monitored

In AQMA

?

Relevant Exposure?

(Y/N with distance (m) to

relevant exposure)

Distance to kerb of nearest road

(N/A if not applicable)

Worst-case Location?

ST CLEMENTS K 452323 205990 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

50 HIGH STREET R 451888 206254 NO2 Y Y ~2.5m Y

HIGH ST K 451573 206231 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m

HIGH ST (COV MKT) R 451466 206221 NO2 Y Y ~2.5m Y

CORNMARKET ST R 451327 206224 NO2 Y Y N/A Y

St ALDATE’s R 451356 206158 NO2, Bz Y Y ~2m Y

QUEEN ST K 451268 206142 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

BONN SQ K 451213 206130 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y

BOTLEY RD (N) (Opp Duke St) R 449656 206242 NO2 Y Y (3m) ~3.5m

BOTLEY ROAD (S) R 449653 206226 NO2 Y Y (2m) ~4m

BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD R 450018 206204 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD R 450356 206242 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~2m Y

FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel

K 450673 206268 NO2

Y Y ~2.5m Y

FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath R 450643 206241 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~8m Y

HYTHE BRIDGE ST R 450793 206342 NO2 Y Y ~4m Y

SUMMERTOWN MORETON / BEECHCROFT

K 450870 208693 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

THORNCLIFFE K 450850 208792 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y

ST EBBE’S 1st SCHOOL B 451116 205353 NO2, Bz Y Y ~10m

LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS B 452812 203513 NO2 Y Y N/A

ROUNDWAY PRECINCT R 455597 207369 NO2 Y Y ~5m Y

29 GREEN ROAD R 455595 207315 NO2 Y Y ~8.5m Y

LP 67 GREEN ROAD R 455654 207173 NO2 Y Y ~2m

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Figure 6 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary (2011-12)

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2.2 Comparison of Monitoring Results with AQ Objectives

2.2.1 Nitrogen Dioxide Results

Pollutant


Nitrogen dioxide 200 µg/m3 not to be


40 µg/m3

1-hour mean

Annual mean

31.12.2005

31.12.2005

Automatic Monitoring Data Table 2.3a Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison

with Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3)

MONITORING SITE

Within AQMA?

Relevant Public Exposure?

YEAR

Data

Capture Annual

Mean

NO2

g/m3

Hourly Mean

NO2

g/m3

No HRS >200

Max Hour

Oxford

Centre

(Roadside)

Yes Yes 2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

98

94

97

97

95

95

98

61

58

50

51

57

67

67

35

1

0

3

11

17

12

279

202

160

231

265

244

246

Oxford

St Ebbe's

(Urban background)

Yes Yes 2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

94

96

83

82

87

94

96

18

22

23

19

23

24

19

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

111

128

153

96

118

115

107

Oxford High St (Roadside)

Yes Yes 2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

94

92

77

81

97

98

90

53

60

55

54

58

56

49

3

2

0

6

6

1

1

212

344

181

271

264

239

218

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Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations measures at Automatic Monitoring Sites

Continuous AQ Monitoring Trends

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

An

nu

al

Mea

n N

O2

mic

rog

ram

me

s p

er

cu

bic

me

tre

Oxford Centre

St Ebbe's

High Street

National Air Quality Objective 40ug/m3

LTP Short term target 53 ug/m3

St Aldate's trend - 7% / yr 2005 to 2009, followed by 16% increase in 2010, and a further 5% increase in 2011

High Street trend +2% / yr 2005 to 2009, followed by 9%

increase in 2010, and a decrease of 12% in 2011

St Ebbe's trend 0% / yr 2005 to 2011

Table 2.3b Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective

Location Within

AQMA?

Rel Public

Exposure?

Y/N

Data Capture for full

calendar year 2011 %

Number of Exceedences of hourly

mean (200 g/m3) (Where the period of valid data is less than 90% of a full year, the 99.8

th percentile of hourly means is shown in

brackets)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Oxford Centre Y Y 98 11 3 0 1 35

Oxford High Street Y Y 94 6 6 0(147) 2 3

Oxford St Ebbe’s Y Y 94 0 0 0 (86) 0 0

LAQM USA 2012 22

Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data

Table 2.4 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes in 2011 (cells shaded indicate exceedence of 60ug/m3)

Location Site Type

Within AQMA?

Triplicate or

Collocated Tube

Data Capture

2011 (Number

of Months or %)

Data with less than 9 months has

been annualised

(Y/N)

Confirm if data has

been distance corrected

(Y/N)

Annual mean concentration (Bias Adjustment

factor = 1.18)

2011 (g/m3)

THAMES STREET R Y 10 N 45

THAMES/TRINITY STREET R Y 9 N

26

THAMES/OXPENS K Y 9 N

35

PIKE TERR UB Y 9 N

43

SPEEDWELL/LITTLEGATE R Y 9 N

51

BUTTERWYKE / THAMES R Y 9 N

40

SPEEDWELL / ST ALDATES K Y 9 N

66

HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LN R Y 9 N

40

BECKETT ST/PK END STREET R Y 9 N

37

PARK END STREET K Y 9 N

58

NEW ROAD R Y 10 N

65

WORCESTER STREET R Y 10 N

66

GEORGE STREET K Y 9 N

80

GEORGE ST/MAGDALEN STREET K Y 9 N 65

BEAUMONT STREET K Y 10 N

57

LAQM USA 2012 23

Location Site Type

Within AQMA?

Triplicate or

Collocated Tube

Data Capture

2011 (Number

of Months or %)


been annualised

(Y/N)

Confirm if data has


(Y/N)


factor = 1.18)

2011 (g/m3)

ST GILES ASHMOLEAN R Y 10 N

52

KEBLE ROAD R Y 9 N

41

UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS ROAD K Y 9 N

50

BROAD STREET K Y 9 N

40

LONGWALL STREET K Y 8 N

75

YORK PLACE R Y 9 N

49

ST CLEMENTS K Y 9 N

85

50 HIGH STREET R Y 10 N

66

HIGH STREET K Y 9 N

75

HIGH STREET(COV MKT) R Y 9 N

49

CORNMARKET ST R Y 9 N

42

St ALDATE’s R Y Y 10 N

67

QUEEN STREET K Y 10 N

51

BONN SQUARE K Y 8 N N

57

BOTLEY RD (N) (Opp Duke St) R Y 9 N

40

BOTLEY ROAD (S) R Y 9 N

44

BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD R Y 9 N

37

BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD R Y 9 N

38

LAQM USA 2012 24

Location Site Type

Within AQMA?

Triplicate or

Collocated Tube

Data Capture

2011 (Number

of Months or %)


been annualised

(Y/N)

Confirm if data has


(Y/N)


factor = 1.18)

2011 (g/m3)

FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel K Y 9 N

56

FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath R Y 9 N

71

HYTHE BRIDGE STREET R Y 9 N

60

SUMMERTOWN

MORETON / BEECHCROFT K

Y 9

N

32

THORNCLIFFE K Y 9 N

28

S.PARADE WESTLAKE PH R Y 9 N

42

FLATS SUND AVE / WOLV ROUNDABOUT

R Y 9

N

45

78 SUNDERLAND AVE I Y 9 N

40

3 SUMMERS PLACE I Y 9 N

45

2 ELSFIELD I Y 9 N

46

ST EBBE’S 1st SCHOOL B Y Y 10 N

23

LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS B Y 9 N

21

ROUNDWAY PRECINCT R Y 9 N

45

29 GREEN ROAD R Y 9 N

43

LP 67 GREEN RD R Y 9 N

46

LAQM USA 2012 25

Table 2.5 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes (2007 to 2011)

Site Type Within

AQMA?

Annual mean concentration (adjusted for bias) g/m3 2007* (Bias

Adjustment Factor = 1.11)

2008* (Bias


2009* (Bias


2010* (Bias


2011 (Bias


THAMES STREET Y 43 37 37 46 45

THAMES/TRINITY STREET Y 27 23 22 26 26

THAMES/OXPENS Y 38 34 33 36 35

PIKE TERRACE Y 39 39 37 40** 43

SPEEDWELL/LITTLEGATE Y 48 39 42 50** 51

BUTTERWYKE / THAMES Y 41 33 35 41 40

SPEEDWELL / ST ALDATE’S Y 43 41 46 68** 66

HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LANE Y 39 33 35 37 40

BECKETT ST/PK END STREET Y 38 32 32 36 37

PARK END STREET Y 62 54 49 56** 58

NEW ROAD Y 61 50 52 67** 65

WORCESTER STREET Y 60 59 51 61 66

GEORGE STREET Y 69 64 51 54 80

GEORGE ST/MAGDALEN STREET Y 62 55 52 59 65

BEAUMONT STREET Y 46 47 44 51 57

ST GILES ASHMOLEAN Y 47 49 45 48 52

KEBLE ROAD Y 40 37 36 43** 41

UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS ROAD Y 45 37 39 40 50

BROAD STREET Y 40 33 38 NR 40

LONGWALL STREET Y 61 58 58 63 75

YORK PLACE Y 39 34 40 NR 49

LAQM USA 2012 26

Site Type Within

AQMA?



2008* (Bias


2009* (Bias


2010* (Bias


2011 (Bias


ST CLEMENTS Y 77 69 NR NR 85

50 HIGH STREET Y NR NR 55 60 66

HIGH STREET Y 64 59 64 78 75

HIGH STREET (COV MKT) Y 64 48 43 47** 49

CORNMARKET STREET Y 40 37 38 37 42

St ALDATE’s Y 57 51 50 57 67

QUEEN STREET Y 86 71 63 54** 51

BONN SQUARE Y 56 69 66 52** 57

BOTLEY RD (N) (Opp Duke St) Y NR NR 31 35 40

BOTLEY ROAD (S) Y 39 36 35 39 44

BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD Y NR NR 26 35 37

BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD Y NR 30 31 36 38

FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel Y NR 45 45 51 56

FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath Y NR 54 56 64 71

HYTHE BRIDGE STREET Y 51 46 43 50** 60

SUMMERTOWN

MORETON / BEECHCROFT Y NR NR NR NR 32

THORNCLIFFE Y NR NR NR NR 28

S.PARADE WESTLAKE PH Y NR NR NR NR 42

FLATS SUND AVE / WOLV ROUNDABOUT Y NR NR NR NR 45

78 SUNDERLAND AVE Y NR NR NR NR 40

3 SUMMERS PLACE Y NR NR NR NR 45

2 ELSFIELD Y NR NR NR NR 46

ST EBBE’S 1st SCHOOL Y 23 23 19 18 23

LAQM USA 2012 27

Site Type Within

AQMA?



2008* (Bias


2009* (Bias


2010* (Bias


2011 (Bias


LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS Y 19 15 15 18 21

ROUNDWAY PRECINCT Y NR 36 35 42 45

29 GREEN ROAD Y NR 37 35 38 43

LP 67 GREEN ROAD Y NR 38 39 43 46

(* SITES INDICATED BY AN ASTERISK DENOTE SOME CHANGE TO POSITION)

(**Where No’s recorded results <9; annualised factor applied based on previous years results for site, where previous results exist)

LAQM USA 2012 28

2.2.2 Particulate Matter Monitoring Results

Pollutant


Particles (PM10) (gravimetric)

50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded

more than 35 times a year

40 µg/m3

24-hour mean

Annual mean

31.12.2004

31.12.2004

Particles (PM2.5 )

Exposure reduction

25 µg/m3

Target of 15% reduction at urban background

Annual mean 2020

Table 2.6 Results of Automatic Monitoring of PM10: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Site ID Site Type

Within AQMA?

Valid Data

Capture 2011 %b

Confirm Gravimetric Equivalent (Y or NA)

PM10 Annual Mean Concentration

g/m3

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Oxford High

St Roadside Y

94 Y 26*1 25*1 25*1 26*1

23*1

Oxford St

Ebbe’s Background Y

94 Y 17*1 15*1 17*2 17*2 17*2

Site ID Site Type

Within AQMA?

Valid Data

Capture 2011 %b

Confirm Gravimetric Equivalent (Y or NA)

PM2.5 Annual Mean Concentration

g/m3

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Oxford St Ebbe’s

Background Y 96 Y

n/a n/a 11 14 13

[*1 PM10 measurements were made with R&P TEOM. Data have been corrected by a factor of 1.3 to give Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent

[*2 PM10 Measurements were made with R&P FDMS TEOM with no correction for Gravimetric Equivalent concentrations

LAQM USA 2012 29

PM10 Annual Mean Concentration

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

PM

10 u

g/m

3

High Street

St Ebbe's

The High Street site is representative of relevant public exposure on footpaths in central Oxford that are adjacent to main traffic routes through the city centre. The St Ebbe’s site is representative of relevant public exposure in locations away from main traffic routes in central Oxford, highlighting the range of exposures evident within the central area. For the 2004 objectives:

The annual mean concentrations are less than 40 µg/m3, There are less than 35, 24-hour exceedences of 50 µg/m3

Table 2.7 Results of Automatic Monitoring for PM10: Comparison with 24-hour mean Objective

Site ID Site Type Within

AQMA?

Valid Data

Capture 2011 %b

Confirm Gravimetric Equivalent

Number of Exceedences of 24-

Hour Mean (50 g/m3)

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

OXFORD HIGH

STREET

Roadside Y 94 Y 11 6 6 7 1

OXFORD ST

EBBE’S Background Y 94 Y 4 1 5 1 5

Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations

The chart shows two sites High Street and St Ebbe’s. The High Street site is located

in a street dominated by bus traffic, with several bus stops nearby. The trend shows

LAQM USA 2012 30

a 17% decrease. The St Ebbe’s site is located at the front of St Ebbe’s First School,

Whitehouse Road, and is the background site for the city centre. The trend shows a

10% decrease between 2006-2011.

LAQM USA 2012 31

2.2.3 Benzene Monitoring Results

Pollutant

Air Quality Objective Date to be achieved by

Concentration Measured as

Benzene

16.25 µg/m3

Running annual mean

31.12.2003

5.00 µg/m3 Running annual mean

31.12.2010

Table 2.8 Results of Benzene Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective

Annual mean

concentrations (g/m3)

Oxford Centre Oxford St Ebbe's

2007 0.81 n/a

2008 0.71 0.47

2009 0.74 0.49

2010 0.73 0.58

2011 0.70 0.52

The running annual means are significantly less than 16.25 µg/m3 There are no running annual means greater than 5.00 µg/m3

The High Street site is representative of relevant public exposure on footpaths in central Oxford that are adjacent to main traffic routes through the city centre. The St Ebbe’s site is representative of relevant public exposure in locations away from main traffic routes in central Oxford, highlighting the range of exposures evident within the central area.

There are no exceedences of either objective for benzene

LAQM USA 2012 32

2.2.4 Other Monitoring Results : Ozone

Pollutant Standard Measured as Concentration

Specific objective to be achieved

Ozone* 100g/m3 daily maximum of running 8-hour mean

UK AQ objective: not to be exceeded more than 10 times a year by 31/12/05

EU DirectiveTarget of 120μg.m-3 not to be exceeded more than 25 times a year averaged over 3 years

*Ozone does not have an objective set within the UK Air Quality Regulations; it is considered as a national objective but not included in Regulations for the purposes of Local Air Quality Management. Thus it is treated as a national problem and does not fall within local authority controls.

The results below highlight that the UK AQ objective for ozone, expressed as

100g/m3 daily maximum of running 8-hour mean is not met. 60 Exceedences of this standard were recorded during 2010, where the standard permits 10 exceedences during a year.

Table 2.9 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Ozone:

Comparison with Annual Mean Objective (40 g/m3)

MONITORING

SITE

YEAR

OZONE g/m3

running 8-hour mean Running 8-hour mean > 100 µg m

-3

Max Mean No. exceedences

No. Days

Oxford St Ebbe’s

(Urban background)

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

140

131

171

130

128

197

132

39

52

47

41

40

46

40

37

60

97

49

56

204

60

7

13

18

10

10

29

12

LAQM USA 2012 33

2.2.5 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives

Oxford City Council has examined the results from monitoring in the Oxford District. Monitoring results continue to highlight exceedences of the hourly and annual mean objectives for nitrogen dioxide, particularly in central Oxford and at busy traffic junctions. The boundary of the AQMA now corresponds to the City boundary, therefore there is no need to proceed to a Detailed Assessment. This conclusion takes into account the declaration of a City-wide

Air Quality Management Area, as described in the introduction

LAQM USA 2012 34

3 Road Traffic Sources

3.1 Narrow Congested Streets with Residential Properties Close to the Kerb

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new/newly identified congested streets with a flow above 5,000 vehicles per day and residential properties close to the kerb, that have not been adequately considered in previous rounds of Review and Assessment.

3.2 Busy Streets Where People May Spend 1-hour or More Close to Traffic

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new/newly identified busy streets where people may spend 1 hour or more close to traffic.

3.3 Roads with a High Flow of Buses and/or HGVs.

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new/newly identified roads with high flows of buses/HDVs.

3.4 Junctions

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new/newly identified busy junctions/busy roads.

LAQM USA 2012 35

3.5 New Roads Constructed or Proposed Since the

Last Round of Review and Assessment

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new/proposed roads.

3.6 Roads with Significantly Changed Traffic Flows

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new / newly identified roads with significantly changed traffic flows.

3.7 Bus and Coach Stations

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no relevant bus stations where the number of bus movements is greater than 2,500 per day in the Local Authority area.

LAQM USA 2012 36

4 Other Transport Sources

4.1 Airports

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no airports in the Local Authority area.

4.2 Railways (Diesel and Steam Trains)

4.2.1 Stationary Trains

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no locations where diesel or steam trains are regularly stationary for periods of 15 minutes or more, with potential for relevant exposure within 15m.

4.2.2 Moving Trains

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no locations with a large number of movements of diesel locomotives, and potential long-term relevant exposure within 30m.

4.3 Ports (Shipping)

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no ports or shipping that meet the specified criteria within the Local Authority area.

LAQM USA 2012 37

5 Industrial Sources

5.1 Industrial Installations

5.1.1 New or Proposed Installations for which an Air Quality Assessment

has been Carried Out

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or proposed industrial installations for which planning approval has been granted within its area or nearby in a neighbouring authority.

5.1.2 Existing Installations where Emissions have increased substantially

or New Relevant Exposure has been introduced

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no industrial installations with substantially increased emissions or new relevant exposure in their vicinity within its area or nearby in a neighbouring authority.

5.1.3 New or Significantly Changed Installations with No Previous Air Quality Assessment

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or proposed industrial installations for which planning approval has been granted within its area or nearby in a neighbouring authority.

5.2 Major Fuel (Petrol) Storage Depots

There are no major fuel (petrol) storage depots within the Local Authority area.

LAQM USA 2012 38

5.3 Petrol Stations

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no petrol stations meeting the specified criteria.

5.4 Poultry Farms

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no poultry farms meeting the specified criteria.

LAQM USA 2012 39

6 Commercial and Domestic Sources

6.1 Biomass Combustion – Individual Installations

Oxford City Council has assessed the biomass combustion plant, and concluded that it will not be necessary to proceed to a Detailed Assessment.

6.2 Biomass Combustion – Combined Impacts

Oxford City Council has assessed the biomass combustion plant, and concluded that it will not be necessary to proceed to a Detailed Assessment.

6.3 Domestic Solid-Fuel Burning

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no areas of significant domestic fuel use in the Local Authority area.

LAQM USA 2012 40

7 Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources

Oxford City Council confirms that there are no potential sources of fugitive particulate matter emissions in the Local Authority area.

LAQM USA 2012 41

8 Conclusions and Proposed Actions

8.1 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data

New monitoring data continues to highlight the main locations where exceedences of the hourly and annual mean objectives for Nitrogen Dioxide take place. These are in line with previous assessments that identify narrow, busy central streets on the bus priority route, and busy road junctions throughout the city where objectives are most likely to be exceeded. The changes to bus stop locations that have taken place in central Oxford have resulted in significant increases in monitored levels of nitrogen dioxide in St Aldate’s. The short term hourly objective of 200ug/m3 was exceeded on 35 occasions during 2011 in St Aldate’s, compared to no more than 1 hour in the previous two years. These results clearly reflect the impact of localised congestion in the area with a large number of bus stops. Monitored levels in the High Street show decreases in the annual mean objective, compared to the previous year, highlighting the localised nature of the pollution monitoring. Whereas the general trend indicated from the diffusion tube monitoring is suggesting small increases on an area wide basis, potentially reflecting small increases in background levels. These results uphold the declaration of the whole of Oxford as an air quality management area. Hence all monitoring is representative of sites within the city-wide AQMA, and is used to refresh the extent of the siting and levels of exceedence of the air quality objectives within the AQMA. Monitoring sites representative of public exposure in Summertown, and close to the ring-road in North Oxford remain as locations above the annual mean objective, continuing to confirm the widespread nature of the exceedences in Oxford.

8.2 Conclusions from Assessment of Sources

At the current time there are no foreseen significant impacts of local developments, (including road transport, other transport, industrial installations, commercial/domestic, fugitive emissions, residential and commercial,) on local air quality. Any significant developments are subject to environmental assessments requiring air quality impact assessment when required.

LAQM USA 2012 42

8.3 Proposed Actions

The Updating and Screening Assessment has not identified the need to proceed to a Detailed Assessment for any pollutant. The reason is that the whole of Oxford remains as an Air Quality Management Area. The current assessment has not identified the need for additional monitoring. The current monitoring regime, encompasses a flexible programme that provides a combination of fixed sites with some rotation to ensure that most pollution hot spots that have been previously identified in the city, remain subject to monitoring. Our next course of action, involves the submission of a Progress Report for 2013.

LAQM USA 2012 43

9 References

Oxford City Council Air Quality Action Plan 2006 Oxford City Council Detailed Assessment 2008 Oxford City Council Progress Report 2011 DEFRA: The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland July 2007 DEFRA: Local Air Quality Management Policy Guidance PG(09). 2009 DEFRA: Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance TG(09). 2009 Oxford City Council: Updating and Screening Assessment 2009 Oxfordshire County Council: Local Transport Plan 2011 Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 Oxford Core Strategy 2026 Oxford City Council: Climate Change Action Plan Oxford City Council: Carbon Management Plan Oxford Strategic Partnership: Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-12

http://www.oxford.gov.uk/Direct/80399OxfordsSustainableCommunityStrategy200812.pdf

LAQM USA 2012 44

Appendix 1 QA/QC and Data validation

Continuous monitoring sites

1. All routine calibration and maintenance is carried and recorded in accordance with manufacturers’ and Automated Urban Monitoring Network site operators’ manuals.

2. Instrument drift is routinely checked by: -

a daily internal instrument calibration which is carried out automatically using an electronic calibration check,

every 2 weeks a manual external instrument calibration is carried out using gas cylinders that can be traced back to reference standards for each pollutant,

every 6 months an audit of instrument response is carried out by an external organisation using independent gas calibration standards.

3. The above checks enable data to be examined subsequently for instrument drift, which is expected, or for faulty data which is usually not expected. Instrument drift is routinely adjusted by means of the 2 weekly external gas calibrations. Scaled data is calculated using the gas calibrations for each analyser. Instrument response is also recorded on a chart recorder along with response to calibration gases. These chart records are also used to check the normal response as part of the data validation process.

4. Data from the continuous monitoring sites is collected and independently validated by the National Environmental Technology Centre, AEA Technology Environment.

5. Particulate Monitoring data is either FDMS (requires no correction), or has been subject to a gravimetric correction as detailed within the report.

Diffusion Tube Monitoring

Diffusion tubes are supplied and analysed by an accredited laboratory (South Yorkshire Air Quality samplers), using the 50% TEA in Acetone method. The laboratory is subject to quality assurance testing as part of their accreditation. This involves an independent comparison to other laboratories. These results of inter-comparisons are available for scrutiny.

A bias correction factor can be applied to diffusion tube results to account for laboratory bias and to correct to continuous monitoring results. Oxford City Council carries out a co-location study annually, and has used the results to calculate a locally derived bias adjustment factor for each separate year studied. These results are submitted for inclusion in the National Diffusion Tube Bias Adjustment Factor Spreadsheet. Bias Correction Factor applied (to all results) 2008:1.04; 2009:0.96; 2010:1.08; 2011; 1.18

LAQM USA 2012 45

PM Monitoring Adjustment

Oxford City Council uses a combination of an R&P TEOM as well as R&P FDMS TEOM

for Particulate Monitoring. The presented results have been corrected as notified in the

text as follows:

[*1 PM10 measurements were made with R&P TEOM. Data have been corrected by a factor of 1.3 to give Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent] [*2 PM10 Measurements were made with R&P FDMS TEOM with no correction for Gravimetric Equivalent concentrations]

Short-term to Long-term Data adjustment

No corrections have been applied to diffusion tube data with regard to periods of short

term monitoring. The monitoring regime in Oxford provides data for sites that are

generally exposed over several years, with exposures of less than 9 months in any year

being excluded from long term assessments.

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