By Michal Okonski
Data from Open Leicester reveals that air quality in Leicester city centre has improved in the last 30 years mainly due to transport improvements.
There are two main measures for air pollution, Nitrous Dioxide (NO2) and PM10 (particulate matter), both of which are now far under the target figure of 40µg/m3 as seen in the graph below.
Rebecca Howe, Transport development officer at Leicester City Council, said the air we breathe is a priority for the council.
“Particulate matter, especially, can be inhaled and absorbed into the lungs and there’s been lots of scientific studies for both particulates and their affects,” she said.
“It can lower lifespan and cause respiratory problems, so it’s imperative we work on it,” she continued.
The main way the council focuses on delivering clean air to its residents is through transport, which is one of the biggest pollutants in major cities such as Leicester.
The city council runs a website called ‘Choose How You Move’ which it says promotes ‘behavioural change.’
“We’ve entered into a partnerships with bus operators and opened three different park and ride sites,” Anthea Anderson, Transport Strategy Manager at the council, said.
“We focus on extending and implementing bus lanes and cycling routes.”
This improvement in air quality is present throughout the UK, with current NO2 levels in the UK at a record low of 14.2µg/m3 in urban areas.
Roadside emissions are still the highest in the UK and Leicester (when compared to urban and rural) but the council said there are no plans to implement a clean air zone, such as in London or Birmingham.
“We’ve been compliant with national air quality objectives since 2022, and PM10 for the last decade. A Clean Air Zone just didn’t merit the cost to implement,” Rebecca said.
You can find out more about the city’s air quality in its Annual Status Report, found here.
