Find out how we review air quality across the borough, and view our Annual Status Report on air quality.
Annual Status Report 2024
The Annual Status Report (ASR 2024) is our annual review of air quality across the district.
DEFRA review
The air quality Annual Status Report (ASR) for 2024 has been completed and sent to DEFRA for appraisal. DEFRA review all Local Authority ASRs and provide commentary on the report. They determine if the report follows the statutory guidance and will either approve the report or make recommendations to be followed.
Main Conclusions for ASR 2024
The key findings of the ASR 2024 are as follows:
- No exceedances of the National Air Quality Strategy standards were identified for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) during 2023.
- This is the fourth year running at Railway Rd AQMA where compliant results have been observed with no exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective. The compliance period is longer for the Gaywood Clock AQMA.
- We assessed 111 planning applications during 2023. The most significant (36) are listed in Appendix C. None were identified as likely to significantly impact air quality.
- Trends in NO2 following the first Covid lock-down year of 2020 showed a marked reduction of around 20% in the annual mean NO2 concentrations. The concern had been the extent of traffic rebound, but annual mean concentrations have subsequently remained relatively constant, with results less than 10% of the NO2 objective (40µg/m3).
- We will continue with the current monitoring programme to further assess changes. An additional NO2 diffusion tube monitoring site was added in 2023.
- No exceedances of PM10 objectives level were noted during 2023.
- No exceedances of the PM2.5 annual mean level were noted during 2023.
- Monitoring results do not exceed any of the air quality objectives outside of the existing AQMA’s and therefore we are not proposing to amend or designate a new AQMA.
Priorities for 2024/25
Our main priorities for 2024/25 are to:
- The existing Railway Road AQMA will be retained, but we will further review once the traffic studies for the Town Centre one way system, Southgates Masterplan and West Winch have been determined.
- A Cabinet Report will be put forward in the Autumn to adopt the draft AQAP and revoke the Gaywood Clock AQMA.
- An additional continuous air quality monitoring station has been purchased to help with detailed air quality modelling assessment work. This will be located in Railway Road and will assist assessing the proposed road layout changes in King’s Lynn and West Winch.
- We will carry out the annual review and amend the monitoring programme to ensure monitoring locations remain valid.
- In support of the national population exposure reduction target for PM2.5 we will continue to work with Norfolk County Council’s public health specialists to develop a health-based West Norfolk air quality project focussing on PM10 & PM2.5 across the district by targeting the principal sources that are within this council’s control.
- Continue to collaborate closely with partners to implement King’s Lynn Transport Strategy and assess regeneration and traffic management projects which will assist with reducing traffic related emissions.
- Continue to review planning applications.
- To attend and work jointly with the Norfolk countywide Air Quality Group.
The Director of Public Health at Norfolk County Council has reviewed the report and signed it off.
DEFRA appraisal
DEFRA have accepted the annual status report for 2024 and have provided some comments. These are intended to help inform future reports.
A copy of their appraisal letter and the final amended ASR for 2024, taking into account DEFRA’s comments, can be found below: