Author(s)

D.M. Blsom

Abstract

The development of urban air quality management systems in the United Kingdom D.M. Blsom Geography Unit, Oxford Brookes University, 0X3 ABSTRACT Large numbers of the UK population are exposed to air quality which approaches or exceeds EU standards and/or WHO guidelines. Emissions from motor vehicle are held responsible for most of the serious air quality problems experienced, including recent pollution episodes in central London in December 1991 (1-h nitrogen dioxide levels reached 423 ppb) and Manchester in December 1992 (1-h nitrogen dioxide peaked at 369 ppb). Given this situation, this paper proposes that local authorities should be given a statutory duty to prepare a local air quality management strategy (LAQMS) if air quality approaches or exceeds air quality standards. LAQMSs would set out measures to improve air quality, assess their likely air quality effectiveness, specify the costs, and set target dates for the attainment of air quality improvements. Central go

Keywords