AIR quality in Brighton and Hove has been given a clean bill of health, according to a new report showing falling pollution levels.

Air quality monitoring stations across the region recorded acceptable levels of fine particle pollution in 2019, meeting World Health Organisation guidelines for the seventh year in the row.

However, the city council’s report said nitrogen oxide pollution was still a concern along some busier roads.

Nitrogen oxide pollution “exceeded” or was “close to exceeding” air quality standards on the A23, A270, B2066 and A20120, the report said.

Road traffic in and out of the city centre was the major source of pollution, but gas heating was also a factor.

The 2020 Air Quality Status Annual Report shows improvements in the city’s Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), with the majority of the city continuing to comply with levels set out by the Government’s Air Quality Strategy for England (AQS).

The annual report shows:

• Up to 2020 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels in Brighton and Hove’s AQMAs were steadily falling, with more pronounced improvement has been recorded around Queen’s Road, Brighton Railway Station and next to Eastern Road near the Royal Sussex County Hospital

• Except for a few days each year, Levels of Particulate Matter (small particles which travel through the air) are low

The report noted poorer households, often located along the busier roads, were disproportionately affected by pollution, with long-term health effects including heart disease, cancer and respiratory problems.

Fine particle pollution was generally low throughout the year, the report said, with fresh air brought by south-westerly winds a big help.

While this report did not examine the lockdown period, which began in March, the virtual emptying of major roads is likely to have had a big impact on pollution levels.

The council said there was a “noticeable increase” in people ditching the car in favour of cycling or walking. It said it was exploring new cycle lanes in response to the uptake, with a decision due on whether to reopen Madeira Drive to cars due on August 6.

The installation of more electric vehicle charging points and continued rollout of eco-friendly buses were other responses under consideration.

In 2018, the council declared a climate emergency and vowed Brighton would become carbon neutral by 2030.

In January, the council commissioned a report on introducing a car-free zone in the city centre.

The plan, agreed by Labour and the Greens, is expected in October.

At the time, Greens councillors said the “time is right” to explore a car ban, aligning the proposal as a step towards tackling climate change.

The Green party took control of the council last week.

BRIGHTON and Hove City council states it is working hard to improve air quality in the city with a range of measures.

These include:

• Consideration of new options for the Ultralow Emissions Zone

• Investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, including 200 new on-street charging points and rapid charging points for taxis

• Securing investment to retrofit the city’s bus fleet alongside the company’s own investment

• The development of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan to encourage sustainable travel across the city

• Working with schools to encourage sustainable travel behaviour change

The council states there are ways that you can also help to improve air quality:

There are lots of ways residents can help to improve the city’s air for everyone including:

• Give your car time off; walk, cycle or scooter to school, work and leisure

• Use public transport. The city’s bus fleet is investing in cleaner buses every year and new trains will use less electricity

• Go electric. The 200 new electric vehicle charging points across the city will make it easier to recharge an electric car or van.

• Use clean home heating without burning coal or wood in open fireplaces; consider replacing old boilers for ground or air source heat pumps

Next steps

Brighton & Hove City Council is due to review its AQMAs and then publish an Air Quality Action Plan setting out the measures it intends to put in place in pursuit of the objectives. A report on the proposed 2020 AQMA is scheduled for September’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) Committee. Public consultation on a renewed 2021 Air Quality Action Plan is anticipated next year.