As described in 'Air Quality Reports|' Falkirk Council is required to review and assess air quality for seven pollutants within its area. If a breach of an objective for one of these pollutants is recorded the Council is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
In exercise of the powers conferred upon it by section 83(1) of the Environment Act 1995, Falkirk Council has made orders creating four AQMAs within the Falkirk Council area. These are described in more detail below.
Grangemouth AQMA (SO2)
The Grangemouth AQMA was declared in November 2005. The AQMA was necessary due to a potential breach of the sulphur dioxide 15-minute mean objective, as specified in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000. Monitoring since the declaration has shown that the 15-minute objective is being breached. The area covered by the AQMA is in the vicinity of the Grangemouth Petrochemical complex.
A map of the area can be viewed here|, and is also available along with details of the AQMA, at the reception areas of: Municipal Buildings, Falkirk; Abbotsford House, Bainsford; and the Public Library, Grangemouth.
An action plan, aimed at achieving a reduction in sulphur dioxide levels within the designated area such that the objective is met, has been developed and is available on the UK Air Quality Archive.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are in support of the AQMA.
Banknock and Haggs AQMA (NO2)
As a result of the Council's ongoing air quality review and assessment process, the Council has declared an Air Quality Management Area in the Banknock and Haggs area. This is for a breach of the annual nitrogen dioxide objective.
The area covered by the AQMA is in the vicinity of junction 4 of the A/M80 in Banknock and Haggs. The Haggs NO2 AQMA declaration order (PDF, 650KB)|, which includes a map of the area, can be viewed here and is also available at the reception areas of: Municipal Buildings, Falkirk and Abbotsford House, Bainsford.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are in support of the AQMA.
The next step of the process is to produce a Further Assessment. This will detail the specific sources of nitrogen dioxide in the AQMA. An Action Plan will then follow which will detail the Council's actions that will aim to bring the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide such that the objective is met.
Falkirk Town Centre (NO2)
As a result of the Council's ongoing air quality review and assessment process the Council has declared two Air Quality Management Areas in relation to nitrogen dioxide in Falkirk Town Centre.
The area covered by the AQMA for the annual nitrogen dioxide objective covers Falkirk Town Centre. The Falkirk Town Centre hourly NO2 AQMA declaration order (PDF, 583KB)| order which includes a map of the area can be viewed here.
The area covered by the AQMA for the hourly nitrogen dioxide objective covers a small part of Grahams Road in Falkirk Town Centre. The Falkirk Town Centre hourly NO2 AQMA declaration order (PDF, 583KB)|, which includes a map of the area, can be viewed here.
Declaration orders for both AQMAs are also available to view at the reception areas of: Municipal Buildings, Falkirk and Abbotsford House, Bainsford.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are in support of the AQMAs.
The next step of the process is to produce a Further Assessment. This will detail the specific sources of nitrogen dioxide in the AQMAs. An Action Plan will then follow, this will detail the Council's actions that will aim to bring the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide such that the objectives are met.
Banknock AQMA (PM10)
As a result of the Council’s ongoing air quality review and assessment process, the Council has declared an Air Quality Management Area for particulate matter (PM10)in the Banknock area.
The AQMA is designated in relation to a breach of the PM10 objectives as set out in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2002 and for a potential breach of the PM10 objectives as set out in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000. The declaration order for the AQMA is also available to view at the reception areas of: Municipal Buildings, Falkirk and Abbotsford House, Bainsford.
The Scottish Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) are in support of the AQMAs. The next step of the process is to produce a Further Assessment. This will detail the specific sources of PM10 in the AQMA, an Action Plan will then follow. This will detail measures that will aim to reduce the concentrations of PM10 such that the objectives are met.
Further information
Information about Air Quality Management Areas can be viewed on the UK Government air quality website| and the Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) website|.