Air quality

The Environment Act 1995 and subsequent regulations require Local Authorities to review and assess air quality in their area through updating and screening assessments every three years, with annual progress reports produced in the intervening years.

Pembrokeshire Air Quality Progress Report 2025

This Review and Assessment procedure forms the basis of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM), which represents the primary methodology in the UK and Welsh Government strategies to achieve air quality objectives for arrange of pollutants.

Pembrokeshire County Council carries out monitoring across multiple locations in the County, employing methods such as passive diffusion tubes, active samplers, and real-time automatic analysers. The Authority also manages a continuous monitoring site at Narberth, affiliated with the UK Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN), operated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This national-standard site provides real-time, ratified data on pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), which contributes to both national reporting and local air quality management. Real-time and historical results for the Narberth AURN site can be accessed via the Welsh Air Quality Forum (opens in a new tab)

If LAQM identifies an exceedance of a pollutant objective, the Local Authority is required to define an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and develop a strategy to reduce the pollutant of concern.

Currently, two AQMAs have been declared in Pembrokeshire, located within the commercial main street areas of Haverfordwest and Pembroke, due to elevated nitrogen dioxide concentrations primarily resulting from road traffic emissions. Both locations experience a 'canyon effect,' with high-sided buildings on either side of narrow roads limiting the dispersion of pollutants, resulting in exceedances of the European Union annual mean air quality objective for NO₂ of 40 µg/m³.

Pembrokeshire County Council has implemented Air Quality Action Plans within the designated AQMAs to explore both short and long-term measures to improve air quality, including traffic management and monitoring initiatives.

The Council is currently considering the revocation of these AQMAs in light of prolonged compliance with relevant air quality objectives, though any formal decision will follow a comprehensive statutory consultation and review processes.

Legislative and Policy Context

Air quality management in Pembrokeshire is supported by Welsh legislation and policy frameworks:

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

This Act establishes a statutory duty for public bodies to consider the long-term impact of their decisions and to promote sustainable development. Local authorities must work towards the well-being goals, including a resilient Wales and a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving communities, which explicitly encompass environmental quality and public health. Effective air quality management aligns with these goals by reducing pollutant exposure, protecting vulnerable populations, and contributing to the overall health and resilience of communities in Pembrokeshire.

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024

This Act requires public authorities in Wales to maintain and improve air quality while integrating considerations of soundscapes and broader environmental health. It sets a statutory framework for monitoring pollutants, mitigating adverse effects on communities, and incorporating air quality into planning, development control, and public health decision-making. The Act complements existing LAQM duties and reinforces the requirement for proactive management of sources of pollution, particularly from transport and industrial activities.

By aligning air quality management with these legislative frameworks, Pembrokeshire County Council ensures that monitoring, mitigation, and enforcement activities are consistent with long-term public health goals, sustainable development principles, and the protection of local environments for future generations.

Integration with Public Health, Transport Planning, and Development Control

Air quality management in Pembrokeshire is closely linked with broader public health objectives. Monitoring and assessment of pollutants informs strategies to protect vulnerable populations, reduce exposure to harmful substances, and contribute to healthier local environments.

Transport planning and traffic management are key components of the Council’s approach, with measures such as traffic flow adjustments, promotion of sustainable transport, and parking controls designed to reduce vehicle emissions and limit the impact of road traffic on local air quality.

Development control is also informed by air quality considerations. The Council evaluates planning applications with regard to potential emissions, exposure risks to future occupiers, and compliance with local air quality objectives. Proposed developments likely to generate significant air emissions are assessed for mitigation measures, ensuring that growth and economic activity are balanced with the protection of environmental quality and public health.

By integrating monitoring, planning, public health, and legislative considerations, Pembrokeshire County Council seeks to maintain and improve air quality across the County, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and contributing to the wellbeing of current and future residents.

If you would like further information on Air Quality in Pembrokeshire please contact:

Pollution Control

Tel: 01437 764551

Email: ContactCentre@pembrokeshire.gov.uk