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Department of the Environment (DOE)

Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Driver & Vehicle Agency

Local Air Quality Review and Assessment

Under the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 Opens in a new window., Local Authorities in Northern Ireland are required to carry out a Review and Assessment of their local air quality. The first round process, in 2002, involved a three stage phased approach.

The second round of local air quality management review and assessment commenced in 2006.

We are currently in Round 4 of the Review and Assessment process where councils are required to submit Progress Reports in 2010 and 2011.

All of Northern Ireland’s 26 District Councils have completed the first three rounds of Review and Assessments. Currently, 12 have declared Air Quality Management Areas. Of these 12, 2 have declared AQMAs for PM10 only, 2 for NO2 and PM10 together, 7 for NO2 only, and one for SO2.

(PM10 is a type of particulate matter. NO2 = nitrogen dioxide. SO2 = sulphur dioxide)

10 Councils have submitted Air Quality Action Plans to the Department. The remaining 2 Councils are currently preparing an Action Plan.

View the Review and assessment reports from all District Councils Opens in a new window.

Part III of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 Opens in a new window. - Local Air Quality Management Policy Guidance – LAQM PGNI (09)

Finalised Policy Guidance LAQM PG NI (09) (including Annexes A and B) (PDF 276KB)Opens in a new window.

Annex C - Economic Principles for the Assessment of Local Measures to improve Air Quality (PDF 354KB)Opens in a new window.

Annex D - Practice Guidance to Local Authorities on Low Emissions Zones (PDF 511KB)Opens in a new window.

Annex E - Practice Guidance to Local Authorities on measures to Encourage the Uptake of Low Emission Vehicles (PDF 563KB)Opens in a new window.

Annex F - Practice Guidance to Local Authorities on Measures to Encourage the Uptake of Retro-Fitted Abatement Equipment on Vehicles (PDF 464KB)Opens in a new window.

Annex G - Worked Examples for the Practice Guidance (PDF 161KB)Opens in a new window.

Should you require further information, please feel free to contact the Air and Environmental Quality Team at:

Air and Environmental Quality Team
Department of the Environment
Goodwood House
44 - 58 May Street
Belfast BT1 4NN

E-mail: aeqteam@doeni.gov.uk
Tel.: (028) 90 254 758

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