Wakefield Council has declared a number of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) for locations where monitoring has identified that levels of nitrogen dioxide, primarily from road transport, exceed levels set by Government. Air quality varies both within each AQMA and between different AQMAs and is affected by things like the amount and type of traffic using the road network, distance between roads and where people live, and the prevailing weather conditions. Where an AQMA has been declared the Council is required to produce an Action Plan to improve air quality, for example by using Planning controls and promoting the use of alternative modes of transport and cleaner vehicle technology.
