Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Oxford
Transcript of Air Quality Progress Report 2013 - Oxford
Environmental Development
2014 Air Quality Progress Report In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management May 2014
Local Authority Officer
Roger Pitman
Department Environmental Development
Address St Aldate’s Chambers, 109 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DS
Telephone 01865-252380
e-mail [email protected]
Report Reference number
Date May 2014
Oxford City Council
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Executive Summary
This report fulfils the requirements under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to provide an Annual Progress Report on Local Air Quality Management in Oxford covering 2013. The report provides an update on the annual progress report made covering 2012. A single Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for the whole of Oxford was declared in 2010 following the identification of a number of air pollution hotspots where the annual mean concentration for nitrogen dioxide had been exceeded. Ten year trends in local air quality across Oxford are showing significant signs of improvement. This is reflected within data from automatic monitoring stations and diffusion tube monitoring. Automatic monitoring station data for nitrogen dioxide now shows decreases in levels at both High St and St Aldate’s, following previous years (2009-2012) of recorded increases. Nitrogen Dioxide monitoring at diffusion tube sites, based upon 10 year trends (of 3yr averages) all show significant reductions. We typically see 15% reductions of nitrogen dioxide levels at roadside sites in the AQMA. The number of diffusion tube sites indicating results above the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide of 40 µg/m3 and 60 µg/m3 are also reducing. Results above the 60 µg/m3 level are indicative of an exceedence of the hourly mean objective of 200 µg/m3. The table below show the number of diffusion tubes in the City with results above objectives and indicate a reduction over the last 3 years:
2011 2012 2013
No. Results > 40 µg/m3 28 23 20
No. Results > 60 µg/m3 12 10 1 The following table highlights that the number of exceedences of the hourly objective of 200 µg/m
3
measured by continuous monitoring in St Aldate’s, has fallen below the allowed number of 18 exceedences per year
No. Exceedences > 200 µg/m3 35 55 11
Further evidence of improving air quality can be seen by considering that four of the 9 hotspot areas originally identified outside of central Oxford, are now no longer hotspots (with monitoring indicating concentrations of nitrogen dioxide reduced to below 40 µg/m
3).
As we have not identified any new areas that exceed air quality objectives, a detailed assessment is not required for any pollutant at this time. We expect to see a number of significant developments in future years that may have an impact on local transport including:
A redeveloped Westgate Shopping Centre with revisions to pedestrianisation and the bus priority route in central Oxford.
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A new housing development at Barton, to the eastern side of the city, to provide around 1,000 new homes.
A mixed site for employment and housing at the Northern Gateway to the City.
During 2013 the City Council has taken some significant steps forward, through the development of two key interlinking policies:
Oxford City Council Low Emission Strategy 2013
Oxford City Council Air Quality Action Plan 2013 Both of these policies link to the City Council’s Sustainability Strategy and are intended to provide an integrated approach to managing emissions to air and their combined impact on climate and air pollution. This has led to the development of targets for reducing the carbon and air pollution impact of transport, as expressed within the Air Quality Action Plan 2013. The top level targets are based on emissions from surface transport across the city as follows:
a 35% reduction in transport CO2 emission from 2005 to 2020;
a 50% reduction in transport NOx and PM emissions from 2005 to 2020. We have also adopted a concentration based air quality target in the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), in relation to the national air quality standards and objectives to achieve mean NO2 concentrations levels of:
45 μg/m3 by 2020
40 μg/m3 by 2025. The AQAP recognises that the City Council cannot act in isolation in order to deliver a comprehensive package of measures, involving engagement and delivery from a wide set of stakeholders. Air pollution arises from activities we all contribute to, it is a shared problem and therefore the solutions need to be equally shared. We have identified transport emissions as the source requiring most attention, highlighting the links to the Local Transport Plan (LTP), which has priorities for delivering sustainable transport, reducing congestion and pollution. The LTP is required to support the objectives set out in this plan in order to tackle air pollution. The aim is to develop further measures with Oxfordshire County Council, through the updated Oxford Area Strategy, within the revised LTP4 due in 2014. Effective measures require co-operation from all sectors including transport policy and management, the Council’s priorities for new developments, freight management for business and commerce, and daily choices made by all transport users. Thus the AQAP not only focusses on measures the City Council needs to address, but looks to measures the City Council can influence, or work in partnership with others to address.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary 1
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Description of Local Authority Area 5
1.2 Purpose of Progress Report 10
1.3 Air Quality Objectives 12
1.4 Summary of Previous Review and Assessments 13
2 New Monitoring Data 18
2.1 Summary of Monitoring Undertaken 18
2.2 Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives 23
3 New Local Developments 32
3.1 Road Traffic Sources 32
3.2 Other Transport Sources 32
3.3 Industrial Sources 33
3.4 Commercial and Domestic Sources 33
3.5 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources 33
4 Planning Applications 34
5 Air Quality Planning Policies 35
6 Local Transport Plans and Strategies 37
7 Climate Change Strategies 40
8 Implementation of Action Plans 41
9 Conclusions and Proposed Actions 43
9.1 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data 43
9.2 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments 44
9.3 Proposed Actions 44
10 References 45
Appendices
Appendix 1: QA/QC and Data validation
List of Tables
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Table 1.1 Air Quality Objectives
Table 1.2 Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment
Table 2.1 Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites
Table 2.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites
Table 2.3 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide:
Comparison with Annual Mean Objective
Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide:
Comparison with Hourly Mean Objective
Table 2.5 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes
Table 2.6 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring:
Comparison with Annual Mean Objective
Table 2.7 Results of PM10 Automatic Monitoring:
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
Table 4.1 Planning applications for new developments
Table 8.1 Action Plan Progress
List of Figures
Figure 1 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire
Figure 2 Key Diagram of Oxford’s Core Strategy
Figure 3 Planned Strategic Transport Investment
Figure 4 City-wide AQMA showing AQ hotspots
Figure 5 Location Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites
Figure 6 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary
Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at
Automatic Monitoring Sites
Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at
Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites
Figure 9 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 (2006-2012)
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1 Introduction
This report fulfils the requirement on Oxford City Council to provide regular updates on the status of local air quality management (LAQM) and progress being made to achieve the statutory air quality objectives. The LAQM process forms a key part of the Government’s Air Quality Strategy to achieve the air quality objectives prescribed in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2007, and detailed within the National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) 2007. This report is an annual Progress Report for 2014, and follows the Progress Report for 2013. The format of the report follows the recommendations made within the policy and technical guidance issued by the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in documents LAQM PG(09), and TG(09).
1.1 Description of Local Authority Area
Oxford is the administrative centre of Oxfordshire, with a resident population of 151,900 (2013). 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 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.
Figure 1 Administrative Boundaries of Oxfordshire
The city 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. Oxford is centrally located within England, with easy access to international airports, the railway network, and the M40 motorway.
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About half of Oxford’s workforce lives outside the city, which results in 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. Only 43% of Oxford’s workforce travel to work by car, which is the lowest proportion in the entire South East region and amongst the lowest in England and Wales.
Future Developments The development of local transport infrastructure has been recognised as a key driver for economic development within the City Council’s Core Strategy 2026 adopted in 2011 and the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) adopted in 2014. The Strategic Economic Plan prioritises interventions in key locations, through the centre of the county with the three key areas for growth potential in population, employment and housing at Bicester, Oxford City and Science Vale Oxford. The projects identified in the SEP for delivering growth focus on the connectivity of the key hubs to the wider transport network locally, nationally and internationally. In this way, growth will drive benefits throughout the whole economy of Oxfordshire, the south east region, and nationally. Oxford City Council is the central Local Authority District within Oxfordshire, a centre of significant change, and a growth point. 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). All of these developments, alongside the new Westgate centre will continue to put pressure on transport infrastructure both within and around Oxford particularly the local road network and potentially add to the impact of transport emissions on local air quality. The key diagram in Figure 2 below from the City Council’s Core Strategy highlights areas identified for regeneration within the City and priority areas for transportation and accessibility.
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Figure 2: Key diagram Oxford’s Core Strategy
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The diagram in Figure 3 below from the SEP highlights planned strategic transport investment around Oxford.
Figure 3: Planned Strategic Transport Investment
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Current Air Quality Management Area 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 within the Local Transport Plan in 2006. A city-wide AQMA was declared in 2010 following the identification of a total of eight air pollution hot spots within the 2008 Detailed Assessment Report, as shown below in Figure 4.
Figure 4 City-wide AQMA showing Air Quality hotspots (boundary in black) As a result, a city-wide Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) has been adopted in 2013 which aims to take an integrated approach to considering measures to reduce carbon and air pollution emissions. This reflects the approach adopted within the city-wide Low Emission Strategy (LES) to consider further options for integrating local policies. The LES highlights the links between policies that impact across all sectors with particular emphasis on considering the combined impacts of policies on all emissions (i.e greenhouse gas, carbon, and air pollution). The new AQAP includes an ambition to develop a low carbon plan for transport, alongside renewing targets for reducing emissions from transport sources in the city. The air quality problems encountered in Oxford are focussed on the impacts of transport generated air pollution. They typically occur in local centres, the city centre, 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. The extent of poor air quality is generally restricted to within 20 metres of the roadside.
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Emissions in the city-centre are significantly influenced by buses and coaches, comprising more than 60% of the total traffic emissions. The Oxford Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into force in January 2014 by a Traffic Regulation condition imposing a Euro V emission standard on buses operating in central Oxford. The Traffic Regulation Order that imposes the condition on the bus operator’s licence, became law in March 2013, with implementation from 2014.
1.2 Purpose of Progress Report
This report represents the third stage within Round 5 of the Review and Assessment process, each round comprising a three year cycle involving an Updating and Screening Assessment (USA), followed by a Detailed Assessment when required, and Progress reports in the intervening years. Round 5 Assessments began in 2012 with a USA report (USA2012), followed by a Progress Report in 2013. All previous reports have been submitted and approved by DEFRA and are available on the City Council website:- http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decER/Previous_reports_occw.htm The first reports under the LAQM process in Oxford were produced in 1999, and began a process of highlighting the significance of the impact of traffic pollution on local air quality. The air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide, both annual mean and hourly mean have been identified as being exceeded in areas dominated by traffic. This has now resulted in the declaration of a city-wide air quality management area (AQMA), being declared in 2010 as described above. The purpose of the progress report is to consider the following:- New monitoring results
Show monitoring site types and locations
Provide an annual update based upon the latest results of air quality monitoring for the pollutants regulated within the national air quality strategy
Highlight results for any new monitoring sites, provide summary data to highlight annual trends
New local developments
Identify and list new developments that may affect air quality, particularly those developments that may have an impact on air quality through traffic generation
Further reporting in relation to:- Additional monitoring data
Projecting forward measured concentrations to objective target dates
Results of other air pollution monitoring, not covered by the regulations
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Air Quality Action Plans
Progress on measures identified within the action plan Local or Regional Air Quality Strategies
Developments in Local or Regional Air Quality Strategies Planning Policy
Updates in Planning Policy Local Development Framework (LDF)
Supplementary Planning Guidance Planning Applications
List of applications with the potential to affect air quality
Knowledge of planned major developments Local Transport Plans
Progress on all measures identified within LTPs that will improve air quality
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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 (µg/m3) (milligrammes per cubic
metre (mg/m3) for carbon monoxide) with the number of exceedences in each year
that are permitted (where applicable).
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 Annual mean 31.12.2010
1,3-Butadiene 2.25 µg/m3 Running annual
mean 31.12.2003
Carbon monoxide 10 mg/m3 Running 8-hour
mean 31.12.2003
Lead 0.50 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
Particulate Matter (PM10)
(gravimetric)
50 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a
year
24-hour mean 31.12.2004
40 µg/m3 Annual mean 31.12.2004
Sulphur dioxide
350 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more
than 24 times a year
1-hour mean 31.12.2004
125 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year
24-hour mean 31.12.2004
266 µg/m3, not to be exceeded more
than 35 times a year
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 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.
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Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment
ROUND 2 Review and Assessment
Review Process
Objectives likely to be met
Objectives not likely to be met
Comments
Updating and
Screening Assessment
Report November
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.
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
2006 Air Quality
Action Plan adopted
Nitrogen Dioxide
Air Quality Action Plan integrated into forthcoming LTP2 (2006-
2011), with targets in LTP
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Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment
ROUND 3 Review and Assessment
Updating and
Screening Assessment Report April
2006
Carbon Monoxide,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
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,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
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,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
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.
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Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment
ROUND 4 Review and Assessment
Review Process
Objectives likely to be met
Objectives not likely to be met
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.
Progress Report 2010
Carbon Monoxide,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
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.
Progress Report 2011
Carbon Monoxide,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Dioxide
Recent trends highlight increases in pollution concentrations,
highlighting the impact of two extreme winters and changes to
bus priority routes.
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Table 1.2 (continued): Outcomes of the Previous Rounds of Review and Assessment
ROUND 5 Review and Assessment
Review Process
Objectives likely to be met
Objectives not likely to be met
Comments
Updating and
Screening Assessment Report 2012
Carbon Monoxide,
Benzene, 1,3 Butadiene,
Lead,
Sulphur Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Dioxide
Shows trends of increasing NO2 since 2009, in central Oxford
2013 AQAP adopted
Nitrogen Dioxide
Air Quality Action Plan to be integrated into forthcoming LTP4
(2015-2030
Progress Report 2013
Carbon Monoxide, Benzene,
1,3 Butadiene, Lead, Sulphur
Dioxide
PM10 Particulate Matter
Nitrogen Dioxide
The monitoring carried out over the previous year provides evidence of continued exceedence of both the
annual mean and hourly mean objectives, particularly in busy
streets in central Oxford.
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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) 4m N
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2.1.2 Non-Automatic Monitoring
The following sites comprise locations where diffusion tube measurements were conducted during 2013.
Table 2.2 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?
ABINGDON Rd / WEIRS LANE R 451902 204197 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~2m Y
WEIRS LANE 1 R 451903 204214 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
WEIRS LANE 2 R 451921 204204 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~2m Y
ABINGDON ROAD R 451914 204153 NO2 Y N ~2m Y
THAMES STREET K 450924 205789 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y
THAMES/TRINITY STREET R 450889 205823 NO2 Y Y(~5m) ~20m N
THAMES/OXPENS K 451031 205958 NO2 Y N ~1m Y
PIKE TERRACE UB 451206 205779 NO2 Y Y ~29m Y
SPEEDWELL/LITTLEGATE R 451265 205703 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
BUTTERWYKE / THAMES R 451417 205645 NO2 Y Y (5m) ~2m Y
SPEEDWELL STREET(Floyd’s Row)
R 450670 206053
NO2 Y Y (1m) ~3m Y
HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LANE K 450563 206221 NO2 Y Y (2m) ~2m Y
BECKETT ST/PK END STREET R 450885 206276 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~3m Y
FRIDESWIDE SQUARE
Royal Oxford Hotel R
450673 206270 NO2 Y Y ~2.5m Y
FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath R 450640 206241 NO2 Y Y (<1m) ~8m Y
HYTHE BRIDGE ST R 450793 206342 NO2 Y Y ~4m Y
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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?
PARK END ST K 451044 206210 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~3m Y
NEW RD R 450945 206433 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~3.5m Y
WORCESTER ST R 451167 206518 NO2 Y Y(2m) ~2m Y
GEORGE ST K 450965 206345 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y
GEORGE ST/MAGDALEN ST K 451223 206398 NO2 Y Y(2m) <1m Y
BEAUMONT ST K 451218 206565 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y
ST GILES ASHMOLEAN R 451180 206895 NO2 Y Y (2m) ~3m Y
LONGWALL ST K 451968 206269 NO2 Y Y (1m) ~1m Y
HIGH ST K 451574 206231 NO2 Y Y (2m) <1m Y
HIGH(rpm) R 451466 206222 NO2 Y Y ~2.5m Y
50 HIGH STREET R 451893 206252 NO2 Y Y ~2.5m Y
CORNMARKET ST R 451323 206233 NO2 Y Y N/A Y
ST ALDATE’S K 451360 206147 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
QUEEN ST K 451266 206142 NO2 Y Y N/A Y
BONN SQ K 451203 206128 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y
YORK PLACE R 452328 206013 NO2 Y N (3m) ~10m N
ST CLEMENT’S K 452661 206073 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
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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?
LP 67 GREEN RD R 455654 207170 NO2 Y N ~5m ~2m Y
ROUNDWAY PRECINCT R 455594 207365 NO2 Y Y ~5m Y
29 GREEN ROAD R 455594 207315 NO2 Y Y ~8.5m Y
LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS B 452792 203524 NO2 Y N N/A N
ST EBBE’S First School B 451174 205387 NO2 Y Y ~3m N
COWLEY / LEOPOLD RD R 453134 205515 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
COWLEY / DIVINITY RD R 453156 205525 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y
COWLEY / BULLINGDON RD R 452884 205667 NO2 Y Y (~3m) ~2m Y
COWLEY / UNION ST R 452778 205720 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
COWLEY ROAD / Nr 16 R 452353 205911 NO2 Y Y ~2m Y
HOLLOW WAY / BENNET COURT R 454651 204285 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y
HOLLOW WAY / NR 113 R 454803 204609 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y
HOLLOW WAY / HOPKINS COURT R 454814 204634 NO2 Y Y ~3m Y
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Figure 6 Diffusion tube sites within city boundary
Sites monitored during 2013
Sites not monitored during 2013
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Comparison of Monitoring Results with Air Quality Objectives
2.1.3 Nitrogen Dioxide Results
Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be
achieved by Concentration Measured as
Nitrogen dioxide 200 µg/m3 not to be
exceeded more than 18 times a year
40 µg/m3
1-hour mean
Annual mean
31.12.2005
31.12.2005
Automatic Monitoring Data
Table 2.3 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
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
85
92
98
94
97
97
56
62
61
58
50
51
11
55
35
1
0
3
400
252
279
202
160
231
Oxford
St Ebbe's
(Urban background)
Yes Yes
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
99
83
94
96
83
82
18
19
18
22
23
19
0
3
0
0
0
0
117
235
111
128
153
96
Oxford High St
(Roadside)
Yes Yes
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
85
99
94
92
77
81
50
58
53
60
55
54
1
3
3
2
0
6
206
233
212
344
181
271
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 24
Figure 7 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Automatic Monitoring Sites.
The chart below highlights the trends in annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations between 2005 and 2013 as measured at the continuous monitoring sites in Oxford.
Table 2.4 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective
Site ID
Location Within AQMA?
Relevant Public
Exposure?
Y/N
Data Capture for full
calendar year 2013 %
Number of Exceedences of hourly
mean (200 g/m3) (Where the period of valid data is less
than 90% of a full year, the 99.8th percentile of hourly means is shown in
brackets.)
2010 2011 2012 2013
Oxford Centre Y Y 92 1 35 55 11
Oxford High St Y Y 98 2 3 3 1
Oxford St Ebbe’s Y Y 83 0 0 3 0(71)
Diffusion Tube Monitoring Data
The following sites comprise locations where diffusion tube measurements were conducted during 2011-13. Sampling is carried out for 10 months/year from February to November. Results are presented as microgrammes per cubic metre of nitrogen
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 25
dioxide, comparable to the annual mean objective value of 40 µg/m3. Sites are highlighted in terms of whether the annual mean of 40 µg/m3 or indicative hourly mean of 60 µg/m3 are exceeded. Table 2.5 Results of Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes
Location In
AQMA?
Relevant Public
Exposure?
Data Capture
for 2013 %
Annual Mean Concentrations (ug/m
3)
2011 2012 2013
WEIRS LANE 1 Y Y 100 NR NR 35
WEIRS LANE 2 Y Y 100 NR NR 29
ABINGDON ROAD Y N 90 NR NR 40
THAMES ST Y Y 100 45 43 44
THAMES/TRINITY ST Y Y 100 26 23 22
THAMES/OXPENS Y Y 90 34 32 31
PIKE TERR Y Y 100 43 39 32
SPEEDWELL/
LITTLEGATE
Y
Y 100
51 47 42
BUTTERWYKE / THAMES
Y Y 100
40 37 35
*FLOYD'S ROW/SPEEDWELL ST
Y Y 80
66 68 55
HOLLYBUSH / OSNEY LN
Y Y 90
40 35 33
BECKETT ST/PK END ST
Y Y 100
37 36 36
FRIDESWIDE SQ Royal Oxford Hotel
Y Y 100 57 50 47
FRIDESWIDE SQ rear footpath
Y Y 100 71 64 55
BOTLEY ROAD Y Y 100 44 39 NR
BOTLEY ROAD (N) Y Y 100 40 36 NR
BOTLEY ROAD/ HILL VIEW ROAD
Y Y 100 37 34 NR
BOTLEY ROAD / ABBEY ROAD
Y Y 100 38 36 NR
HYTHE BRIDGE ST Y Y 100 60 53 43
PARK END ST Y Y 100 58 55 55
NEW RD Y Y 100 65 58 54
WORCESTER ST Y Y 100 66 64 54
GEORGE ST Y Y 100 80 66 58
GEORGE ST/MAG ST Y Y 100 65 62 50
BEAUMONT ST Y Y 90 57 49 42
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 26
ST GILES ASHMOLEAN Y Y 100 52 48 NR
KEBLE RD Y Y 100 41 37 NR
UNIV SCI LIB-PARKS RD Y Y 90 50 40 NR
HIGH ST Y Y 100 76 70 58
HIGH(Covered Market) Y Y 90 50 47 41
50 HIGH STREET Y Y 100 66 65 56
CORNMARKET ST Y Y 100 42 34 29
ST ALDATE’s Y Y 100 67 61 55
*QUEEN ST Y Y 100 51 49 43
*BONN SQ Y Y 100 57 49 41
BROAD St Y Y 100 40 36 NR
LONGWALL ST Y Y 100 75 63 53
YORK PLACE Y Y 100 50 39 31
ST CLEMENTS Y Y 100 85 85 70
SUMMERTOWN Parade Y Y 100 42 39 NR
BEECHCROFT Rd Y Y 100 32 28 NR
THORNCLIFFE Rd Y Y 100 28 26 NR
WOODSTOCK RD (Flats at Roundabout)
Y Y 100 45 43 NR
SUNDERLAND AVE
(No. 78)
Y Y 90 40 43 NR
SUMMERS PLACE Y Y 100 45 39 NR
ELSFIELD Road Y Y 100 46 38 NR
LP 67 GREEN RD Y Y 100 46 46 36
ROUNDWAY PRECINCT Y Y 100 45 43 37
29 GREEN ROAD Y Y 100 43 40 34
LENTHALL RD ALLOTMENTS
Y Y 100 21 19 20
St EBBE’s First School Y Y 100 21 22 20
COWLEY/ TEMPLE SQ Y Y 90 NR NR 35
COWLEY/ BETWEEN TOWNS RD
Y Y 100 NR NR 34
COWLEY/ OXFORD RD1 Y Y 100 NR NR 36
COWLEY/ OXFORD RD2 Y Y 100 NR NR 37
COWLEY / LEOPOLD RD Y Y 90 NR NR 32
COWLEY / DIVINITY RD Y Y 90 NR NR 36
COWLEY / BULLINGDON RD
Y Y 100 NR NR 30
COWLEY / UNION ST Y Y 100 NR NR 40
COWLEY ROAD / Nr 16 Y Y 100 NR NR 39
HOLLOW WAY / Y Y 90 NR NR 33
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 27
BENNET COURT
HOLLOW WAY / NR 113 Y Y 100 NR NR 33
HOLLOW WAY / HOPKINS COURT
Y Y 100 NR NR 34
(# Bias Correction applied 2011:1.18; 2012:1.07; 2013;0.96) NR – Not Monitored, NO RESULT
Shaded cells indicate exceedence of the 40 µg/m3 annual mean objective for Nitrogen Dioxide
Darkly shaded cells indicate an exceedence of the 60 µg/m3 indicative of an exceedence of the hourly
mean, as well as the annual mean of 40 µg/m3
Figure 8 Trends in Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration Measured at Diffusion Tube Monitoring Sites
The chart above highlights trends by groups of results representing as follows:- R/S AQMA – Roadside results in central Oxford AQMA These results show a 15% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period Bus Priority- Roadside results on streets within the bus priority route These results show a 19% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period AUN – Central Oxford site for AUN station in St Aldate’s, within AQMA and Bus Priority These results show a 5% reduction in roadside air pollution levels over a 10 year period St Ebbe’s- Urban background site, close to central area These results show a 20% reduction in background air pollution levels over a 10 year period
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 28
2.1.4 Particulate Matter Monitoring Results
Pollutant Air Quality Objective Date to be
achieved by Concentration Measured as
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 PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective
Location Within
AQMA?
Data Capture for full
calendar year
2013 %
*PM10
Annual mean concentrations (g/m3)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Oxford High Street
Y 89 25 26 23 22 24
Oxford St Ebbe’s
Y 95 17 17 17 17 20
Location Within
AQMA?
Data Capture for full
calendar year
2013 %
~PM2.5
Annual mean concentrations (g/m3)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Oxford St Ebbe’s
Y 94 11 14 12 12 14
PM10 measurements up to January 2009 were made with R&P TEOM and results for this period have been corrected by a factor of 1.3 for Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent
PM10 Measurements from January 2009 were made with R&P FDMS TEOM with no correction
[*PM10 Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent (TEOM measurement x 1.3)]
[~ PM25 instruments: FDMS (no correction)] N/A Indicate results not yet available
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.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 29
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 PM10 Automatic Monitoring: Comparison with 24-hour Mean Objective
Location Within
AQMA?
Data Capture
2013 %
Number of Exceedences of daily mean objective
(50 g/m3)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
High Street Y 89 6 7 1 3 0
St Ebbe’s Y 95 0 1 5 5 5
Both the Oxford High Street Site and the Oxford St Ebbe’s School Sites meet the requirements of the annual mean objective and the daily mean objectives for particulate matter.
Figure 9 Trends in Annual Mean PM10 (2006-2013)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PM
10u
g/m
3
Particulate Matter PM10 Annual Mean
HighStreet
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 30
2.1.5 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
YEAR Oxford Centre Annual mean
concentrations (g/m3)
Oxford St Ebbe's Annual mean concentrations
(g/m3)
2007 0.81 n/a
2008 0.71 0.47
2009 0.74 0.49
2010 0.73 0.54
2011 0.68 0.48
2012 0.63 0.56
2013 0.78 (P) 0.66(P)
(P) Provisional results
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.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 31
2.1.6 Other Monitoring Results : Ozone
Pollutant Standard Measured as Concentration
Specific objective to be achieved
Ozone* 100g/m
3 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 Directive Target 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. 42 exceedences of this standard were recorded during 2013, where the standard permits 10 exceedences during a year.
Table 2.9 Results of Automatic Monitoring for Ozone:
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)
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
164
152
127
131
171
130
128
197
132
37
36
39
52
47
41
40
46
40
42
38
37
60
97
49
56
204
60
8
5
7
13
18
10
10
29
12
2.1.7 Summary of Compliance with AQS Objectives
Oxford City Council has examined the results from monitoring in the city of Oxford. 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.
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LAQM Progress Report 2014 32
3 New Local Developments
3.1 Road Traffic Sources
3.2 Other Transport Sources
Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified local developments that may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area.
Oxford City Council has identified the following new or previously unidentified local development, which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area. The Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 Project outlined within the previous Progress Report was subject to a Public Inquiry from November 2010-January 2011. The Public Inquiry was re-opened in 2012, and the Transport and Works Order enabling the project to go ahead was approved by the Transport Minister in October 2012. The project was finally approved in May 2013, following a High Court decision following a judicial challenge of the Secretary of State original award of the powers. The development will double the track between Oxford and Bicester Town and link it to the existing Marylebone to Birmingham line, providing a second commuter rail route into London. Chiltern Railways plan to open the line and operate services from Oxford's new parkway station close to Water Eaton from the summer of 2015 with the full line to Oxford expected to open in spring 2016. The project has been subject to Environmental Impact Assessment, highlighting that it is not expected to result in significant impacts on air quality. The Barton Area Action Plan was adopted by the Council in December 2012 with outline planning approved in May 2013 for development up to 885 residential units alongside a new primary school, to the north of the A40. The development is expected to start delivering new homes from late 2015. Central Oxford will see the development of a new Westgate shopping centre, following the grant of outline planning permission in March 2014. It will include about 100 new shops and 122 homes, a cinema, and basement car park. The development is a key platform of the generation of Oxford’s West End. The development is likely to lead to further changes in the transport network in the city centre, including full pedestrianisation of Queen Street, involving changes to the bus priority route.
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LAQM Progress Report 2014 33
3.3 Industrial Sources
3.4 Commercial and Domestic Sources
3.5 New Developments with Fugitive or Uncontrolled Sources
Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified local developments which may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area.
Oxford City Council confirms that there are no new or newly identified local developments which may have an impact on air quality within the Local Authority area.
Oxford City Council has identified the following new or previously unidentified local development, which may impact on air quality in the Local Authority area.
Planned Biomass combustion plant:
Oxford City Council. Blackbird Leys Swimming Pool micro-CHP and Biomass Boiler to 850MWh/yr.
Planned Combined Heat and Power Plant: John Radcliffe Hospital, 4.3MWe. Planning Permission Granted Nov 2013
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 34
4 Planning Applications
The following details relate to developments that have been subject to a Planning Application, where it considered that an impact on air quality is likely.
Planning Application (Approved?)
Air Quality Assessment?
Significant impact on Air Quality?
Scheme Implemented
Westgate Centre
Yes
Overall assessment shows some impact requiring mitigation
which is being secured via condition
No Resolution by OCC to grant outline planning
permission, March 2014.
Barton Housing
Development 1,000 houses
Outline Application May 2013
Yes
AQ assessment
shows main risk is dust during
construction.
Outline planning
permission granted October 2013
Chiltern Railways
Yes
No
Under development. Project given go-ahead following Public Inquiry.
Includes provision for new station at Water
Eaton-Oxford Parkway from 2015
These developments were reported in the previous Progress Report, and have not yet been implemented, as highlighted in the table above.
Table 4.1 Planning applications for new developments which have not yet been approved but which could impact upon air quality are listed below
Site details Planning Application Significant impact on
Air Quality? Scheme
Implementation
Northern Gateway No.
No plans considered for assessment at
this stage Mixed employment (90000m2) & up to 800 houses, plus
hotel
Area Action Plan Possible start in
2016
The Council’s air quality planning policies documented below highlight how developments taking place in the city are discouraged from the use of private motor vehicles.
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LAQM Progress Report 2014 35
5 Air Quality Policies
Oxford’s Local Plan (formerly the Local Development Framework) is the statutory Development Plan for Oxford, and continues to be the starting point in the consideration of planning applications for the development or use of land unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The development plan contains two key documents: the Oxford Core Strategy 2026 and the Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 (OLP). The overarching aim of the policies contained in these documents is to deliver sustainable development.
The planning system has an important role to play in the protection of air quality by ensuring that land use decisions do not adversely affect the air quality in the AQMA, or in other areas where air quality objectives are unlikely to be met. A development will be assessed against its direct effect on air quality, and also the effect of the traffic it generates. The OLP contains a saved policy CP23 which deals directly with AQMA’s. This policy states that:
‘Planning permission will not be granted for development which would have a net adverse impact upon the air quality in the Air Quality Management Area, or in other areas where air quality objectives are unlikely to be met.’
The Core Strategy contains policy CS14 which sets out a range of commitments to support city-wide movement, and includes implementing a Low Emissions Strategy to directly deal with air quality. This policy states that:
‘The City Council will work with its partners to improve the ease and quality of access to and between the city and district centres, and other key destinations, by: ….
…• implementing a Low Emissions Strategy to improve air quality, which could lead to a Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) in the city centre…’
The Core Strategy and Oxford Local Plan both include policies aimed at reducing the need to travel, particularly by private car, and to give people greater choice in the way they travel by walking, cycling and public transport, which has a clear direct benefit for local air quality.
The Core Strategy also includes policies to tackle climate change, by promoting low and zero carbon developments, which have a knock-on benefit for air quality.
Oxford’s Local Plan also contains other development plan documents such as the Sites and Housing Plan (2001-2026), Barton Area Action Plan and West End Area Action plan, all of which promote low carbon developments and lifestyles.
Oxford Air Quality Action Plan 2013
Oxford City Council adopted a new Air Quality Action Plan in December 2013.
The 2013 Air Quality Action Plan aims to influence the delivery of air quality related transport measures in the city, and links to the Local Transport Plan (LTP) as the key delivery mechanism for wider transport measures which is managed and delivered by the County Council as the highways authority.
The key themes of the AQAP to reduce emissions across the city will be:
Support for development of Sustainable Transport Measures
Support for the uptake of low and zero emission vehicles
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LAQM Progress Report 2014 36
Reducing freight emissions from Light Goods Vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles
Planning for sustainable transport
Managing the Council's transport emissions
The success of the action plan recognises the significance of a partnership approach, particularly with the County Council as the Transport Authority, and other key stakeholders, notably District Councils, transport providers, and public health bodies.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 37
6 Local Transport Plans and Strategies
6.1 Oxfordshire Local Transport Plans (LTP)
Transport Plans for Oxford are addressed within the Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan produced by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).
OCC has prepared three LTPs to date. The first LTP (LTP1) covered the period 2001 to 2006, the second, LTP2, covered the period 2006 to 2011. The 2006 Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) was integrated with LTP2, and included air quality as a shared priority. The third LTP (LTP3), which was amended in 2012, covered the period 2011 to 2030. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is now in the process of preparing its 4th Local Transport Plan (LTP4) to take account of changes in housing and economic growth forecasts, new or emerging spatial planning and to place an increased focus on reducing demand for travel. While needing to comply with national, regional and local policies, plans and programmes, the LTP4 will also influence, and be influenced by other statutory and non-statutory plans, strategies, policies and on-going studies. Of particular relevance are the following regional and local plans/ strategies,
Oxfordshire 2030: A partnership plan for improving quality of life in Oxfordshire;
A Thriving Oxfordshire – Draft Corporate Plan 2014/15 – 2017/18 (OCC 2014a)
Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan (2014b) (Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership);
Green Infrastructure Framework for Oxfordshire – emerging (OCC);
Economic Development Strategy Oxfordshire 2006-2016 (OCC); and
Oxfordshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy – emerging. Building on the earlier LTP3, the draft Oxfordshire LTP4 will set the policy and strategy for Oxfordshire’s transport requirements, and OCC’s approach to addressing the challenges of the transport system in Oxfordshire, in the period from 2015 – 2030. The LTP4 considers the demand and need for transport provision and management in Oxfordshire and the roles of individual transport modes and potential interventions.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 38
The Oxfordshire Local Investment Plan, prepared by a partnership of the county and district councils, identifies a number of strategic transport schemes which it considered necessary to support development in the county in the short term including:
Access to Oxford Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 Project East-West Rail (western section) Banbury priority north-south vehicular corridor Bicester park and ride M40 Junction 9 improvements South west Bicester perimeter road Transport improvements in and around Bicester Didcot Northern Perimeter Road Phase 3 Cow Lane Underpass, Didcot Didcot Parkway station forecourt Didcot Parkway station (Foxhall car park and pedestrian improvements) Accessing Science Vale UK transport package Thornhill park and ride, Oxford Grove & Wantage railway station Cogges Link Road and Witney town centre enhancement, Witney Cotswold line railway re-doubling A40 Downs Road junction, Witney
Progress made to date on delivering these schemes
Access to Oxford - Now being pursued as separate schemes for Oxford Northern Gateway and A34 Route Management strategy
Evergreen 3- Due for delivery by 2016 E-W Rail - Due for delivery 2017 Bicester P&R - Under development for delivery in 2014 Bicester SW Perimeter road - Completed 2012 Bicester transport improvements - Bicester Movement strategy under
development for approval 2014 Didcot station improvements - Under construction 2013 Accessing Science Vale UK - Now being pursued as seperate schemes for
Harwell Link Road, Hagbourne Hill and Featherbed Lane Cogges Link Road, Witney - Scheme rejected at public enquiry, new town
transport strategy under development Thornhill P&R expansion - Completed 2013 Cotswold line re-doubling - Completed 2012 A40 Downs Road, Witney - To be delivered as part of North Curbridge
development Delivery of new transport schemes is now funded through the Oxfordshire Local Transport Board for local major schemes and the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership for schemes included within the emerging Local Growth Deal.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 39
The LTP4 Scoping Report has been released for consultation, including draft objectives, developing national goals into local objectives.
These objectives will be prioritised within each of the different settlement types in
Oxfordshire, through the development of the Oxford Area Strategy. The current
objectives with high priority for Oxford are listed below:
Oxford
Reduce congestion
Develop and increase the use of high quality, welcoming public transport
Develop and increase cycling and walking for local journeys, recreation and
health Further consultation will be taking place with the County Council during 2014 on the development of the Oxford Area strategy within LTP4, with reference to the AQAP.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 40
7 Climate Change Strategies
Oxford City Council has been directly tackling CO2 emission reductions from its buildings and operations since 2008 when it launched its first Carbon Management Strategy and Implementation Plan (“Getting Our House in Order”). The Action Plan mapped out a route to implementing a range of measures to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of 25% by 2011 (on a 2005 baseline) and 3% year on year thereafter. This Plan was refreshed and updated in August 2012 with a stretched target of a 5% year on year reduction in CO2 emissions and expanded scope (including communal supplies of electricity and gas in council housing stock) bringing in more emissions sources that are under the Council’s control. The Council is also a full participant in Phase 1 of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) reporting on annual CO2 emissions associated with a strictly defined set of its emission sources. The areas that contribute to the bulk of our emissions are:
Heating and electricity consumption in our operational sites (e.g. office buildings, depots, leisure centres, car parks, sports pavilions, public conveniences and other miscellaneous sites)
Fuels consumed in our fleet vehicles (e.g. refuse trucks, vans and pool cars), non-road going vehicles and plant (e.g. lawnmowers, chippers, and portable heaters)
Travel for work purposes (e.g. fuel consumed in staff-owned vehicles and from the use of public transport)
Operational waste deposited in landfill sites
Water consumption The latest report to DECC from July 2013 provides greenhouse gas emissions data (CO2e) for the reporting period 2012/13 and also includes updated emission data from last year’s report (covering years 2009/10 to 2011/12) following the issue of the latest GHG emission guidance and conversion factors guidance by Defra (last updated June 2013). Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from Local Authority own estate and operations covering financial year 2012-13
http://www.oxford.gov.uk/Library/Documents/Environmental%20Development/GHG%20Repo
rt%20Oxford%20City%20Council%202012-13.pdf
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 41
8 Implementation of Action Plans
Table 8.1 Action Plan Progress (for measures identified from 2006 AQAP within LTP2/3 programmes)
No. Measure Focus Lead
authority Planning
phase
Implemen-tation phase
Indicator
Target annual
emission reduction
in the AQMA
Progress to date
Progress in last 12 months
Estimated completion
date
Comments relating to emission
reductions
0 Manage bus emissions
Reduce unit emissions in the
AQMA using Bus Quality Partnership Agreements
(BQPA)
County Council
2009-10 2011-14
Elimination of Euro I
and II buses by
2014
2%
Failure to reach a BQPA
meant the authority
applied for a Traffic
Regulation Control
(TRC)
The TRC was
adopted with the
condition of having no Euro I
and Euro II buses
passing through the
AQMA from 2011 onwards
2011
Elimination of remaining few Euro I and II buses still
estimated to deliver a 2% reduction in
annual emissions.
1 Manage bus emissions
Reduce unit emissions in the
AQMA using Low Emission
Zone
City Council
and County Council
2006-9 2010-14 Euro V
buses by 2014
68% from 2006
baseline
Declaration of LEZ 2009
Options to consider a
Traffic Regulation
Condition
(TRC)
Declaration of LEZ 2009
2014
Bus Qualifying Agreement for implementation
in 2010 will result in the
early introduction of
25% fewer buses in High Street and 46 new Euro V EEV buses
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 42
2 Bus Qualifying Agreement
Shared services on designated
bus routes
County Council
2010-11
2011
Qualifying Agreeme
nt in place
Prepare outline
agreement
Main bus operators buy new electric hybrid buses
July 2011
Formal agreement
that establishes operation of
shared services, and reduced bus
numbers
3 Low Emission Zone
Implementation County & City
Council
2010-11
2011-3
Bus based LEZ in place
Implemented
In operation
from January
2014
2014
Emissions reductions subject to
further assessment
4 New Action Plan
Air Quality and Climate Change
in relation to Sustainable Transport
City Council
2011-13
2014-for integratio
n into LTP4
Revised AQ
Target and C-
reduction target for Transport
50% NOx
and PM reduction
2005-2020
Adopted 2013
Public Consultati
on summer
2013
City executive adopted
Dec 2013
End of 2013
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 43
9 Conclusions and Proposed Actions
9.1 Conclusions from New Monitoring Data
The most recent monitoring continues to highlight exceedences of the annual mean for nitrogen dioxide at some locations across the city, plus exceedences of the hourly mean objective at locations in central Oxford. Overall, average levels across the city are showing significant reductions, such that the extent of exceedences is reducing.
After two years showing small increases in annual mean nitrogen dioxide levels, the average for 2013 in St Aldate’s has reduced below 2010 levels. Levels recorded in Oxford High Street have fallen to levels recorded in 2005, and average diffusion tube results in central Oxford are lower than at any time since 2000.
The monitoring locations have been rotated from the previous year and are all within the existing Air Quality Management Area. Locations such as Cowley Centre, Hollow Way and Green Road Roundabout have now reduced to levels below the annual mean objective level of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Continued exceedences of the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide as follows:-
Central Oxford
Specific Roads or Junctions o St Clement’s, High Street, St Aldate’s, Abingdon Road.
Areas where the annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide is no longer exceeded:-
Summertown;
Cutteslowe Roundabout;
Cowley Centre;
Hollow Way
Trends in diffusion tube monitoring data over last 10years (using 3year averages)
Roadside results in central Oxford AQMA show a 15% reduction.
Roadside results on streets within the bus priority route show a 19% reduction.
Central Oxford site St Aldate’s, within AQMA and Bus Priority shows a 5% reduction.
St Ebbe’s Urban background site, close to central area shows a 20% reduction.
Recent Trends in Continuous Monitoring Data over last 3 years (using 3 year averages) Oxford Centre, St Aldate’s has seen a 12% increase in annual mean nitrogen dioxide levels since 2010, whereas Oxford High Street monitoring site has seen a 5% decrease over the same period. These short term trends over three years have to be considered against the longer term trends over a ten year period that show reductions. The difference between these two sites is attributable to the relocation of additional bus stops into St Aldate’s during this period.
Oxford City Council
LAQM Progress Report 2014 44
9.2 Conclusions relating to New Local Developments
There are no new current local developments that will require more detailed consideration in the next Updating and Screening Assessment. There are three significant future developments which will be or have been subject to transport and air quality assessments through the planning application process:
A significant local housing development is planned for the Barton Area.
Revised proposals for a new city centre Shopping Centre, to replace the existing Westgate Centre.
Northern Gateway employment led development with supporting infrastructure on a 100 acre business park, requiring a new link road connecting the A40 and the A44.
The impact of these developments has been or will be considered through the planning process and will require consideration as they are implemented, Barton from late 2015, and Westgate from 2017.
9.3 Proposed Actions
The 2013 monitoring data has not identified the need to proceed to a Detailed Assessment. The whole of Oxford City remains an Air Quality Management Area. There are no proposals to change the boundary of the existing AQMA. The monitoring programme continues to be revised since the last progress report, in order to provide a balance between locations that are monitored year on year, as well as sites that are monitored on rotation. The aim in future will continue to provide a balance between a number of fixed sites and a group of sites that are rotated. The Oxford LEZ came into force in January 2014. The LEZ has promoted the introduction of cleaner greener buses, by the introduction of a Euro V standard for new buses operating in central Oxford. All regular service buses in central Oxford (over a minimum frequency) now meet the Euro 5 standard. Our next course of action will be to submit an Updating and Screening Assessment in 2015.
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10 References
Oxford City Council Air Quality Action Plan 2006 Oxford City Council Air Quality Action Plan 2013 Oxford City Council Detailed Assessment 2008 Oxford City Council Progress Report 2010, 2011 Oxford City Council Updating and Screening Assessment 2009, 2012 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 Oxfordshire County Council: Local Transport Plan 2011 Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 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 Oxford City Council Carbon Management Programme Strategy & Implementation Plan 2008 Oxford City Council: Sustainability Strategy Oxford City Council: Low Emission Strategy 2013
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Appendices
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.
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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; 2012:1.07; 2013: 0.96
PM Monitoring Adjustment
PM10 measurements up to January 2009 were made with R&P TEOM and results for this period have been corrected by a factor of 1.3 for Indicative Gravimetric Equivalent PM10 Measurements from January 2009 were made with R&P FDMS TEOM with no correction