Progress with implementing local air-quality management in rural areas of England

Air quality in the UK, although vastly improved from the smogs of the 1950s , now faces a new set of challenges from a variety of sources and pollutant s. Poor air quality has long been associated with urban areas, but it is be coming clear that many rural locations also have locations likely to exceed the UK Air Quality Strategy-objectives. This paper will examine the extent to which rural authorities have been engaged in the local air-quality mana gement (LAQM) process, a new regime by which air quality control is being a ccomplished in the UK. Results are presented from a questionnaire survey of environmental health officers of 100 rural authorities undertaken in Janua ry 1999. The paper investigates both the technical aspects of the LAQM proc ess as well as the management approaches. The current progress of rural aut horities, and some of the problems they face, are discussed particularly in comparison with urban areas. It is concluded that some rural authorities w ith air pollution problems stemming either from within or outwith their bor ough, may face significant challenges from the LAQM review and assessment p rocess, particularly where air pollution responsibilities have only relativ ely recently been addressed. Rural authorities seem to be embracing these n ew responsibilities enthusiastically, but if is almost inevitable that they will be trailing behind urban authorities who have several decades of expe rience and joint working to draw upon. (C) 2001 Academic Press.