Annual air quality report shows improvements

A council says it has reached a "major milestone in reducing pollution" after recording an improvement in air quality.

West Northamptonshire has seven air quality management areas (AQMAs), where standards were not being met.

But the local authority's latest Air Quality Annual Status Report has found that only one of those seven areas has recorded nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels above the national limit.

West Northamptonshire Council said the areas that had shown "sustained improvement" would stop being designated as AQMAs in early 2026.

Andrew Last, a cabinet member of the Reform UK council, said "these improvements are good news for everyone who lives and works in West Northamptonshire".

He added: "Cleaner air means healthier families, safer streets and stronger communities."

The report said Harborough Road in Kingsthorpe was the only location that exceeded national NO2 levels.

In January this year, the Bradshaw Street area of Northampton became an AQMA due to vehicle emissions, but the council said further checks showed levels had improved and it was on target to continue to meet national limits.

It added that four AQMAs where levels had seen continued improvements would be revoked early next year.

They include Victoria Promenade, Campbell Square and St Michael's in Northampton, and Watling Street in Towcester.

Dave Pearson, co-chair of West Northants Greens, said most of the air quality now conformed to UK standards, but added that those standards were "so weak" they allowed "four times more air pollution than the World Health Organisation recommends".

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