Consultation on a revised Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP)

Kirklees Council has a legal duty to monitor and assess air quality in line with national standards. Progress is reported annually through the Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) 2025

Over the last few years, air quality has improved in many parts of the borough, however monitoring shows that certain areas still require specific actions. These areas are outlined as Air Quality Management Areas or AQMAs for short.

The council has declared seven Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) where national air quality objectives are not consistently met. These designations are based on long-term monitoring evidence and are due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in specific locations.

Once an AQMA is in place, the council is required to develop an Air Quality Action Plan to reduce levels of pollution and improve air quality for those specific locations. Our Air Quality Action Plan was last updated in 2019 and is now due for revision.

The 2026 Air Quality Action Plan will bring together existing and new measures to reduce emissions, improve air quality in the AQMAs, and maintain compliance once achieved. It will also support wider strategies relating to public health, transport, and climate change, and will guide air quality improvement work over the next five years.

Why your views matter

Air pollution affects health throughout our lives, with children and older people particularly vulnerable to the long-term impacts. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to asthma, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke and dementia, and contributes to health inequalities.

We are seeking your views on the proposed draft actions, and whether there are any alternative or additional measures that the council should consider. Your feedback will help ensure that the final 2026 Air Quality Action Plan is evidence-based, locally informed and aligned with community priorities.