Air quality
Air quality in Leicester is monitored across a network of five air air quality stations, which continuously measure concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10).
How we manage air quality
All local authorities are required to undertake a review and assessment of local air quality to identify whether the air quality objectives for certain key pollutants are being met. Where objectives are not being met, the local authority is required to develop an action plan to achieve progress towards meeting the targets. Leicester's air quality action plan for 2015-2026 is available here.
The air quality objectives are set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and include annual mean objectives and hourly mean objectives for a range of pollutants.
The pollutant objectives are set at levels low enough to make adverse health unlikely for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those already affected by respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
A complete list of DEFRA air quality objectives can be found here.
Air quality in Leicester
Leicester currently meets all national air quality objectives at all monitoring stations and has done so since 2022.
Air quality management area
The Environment Act 1995 requires all local authorities to regularly review and assess local air quality. Where exceeding air quality targets is considered likely, the local authority must then declare an air quality management area (AQMA) and prepare an air quality action plan (AQAP) setting out the measures it intends to put in place to improve air quality.
During 2000, we completed a three-stage review and assessment process, using detailed monitoring and forecast modelling up to 2005. The process identified that government air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) would not be met in some parts of Leicester by the end of 2005. NO2 is one of the main pollutants coming from road traffic. In places where high levels of NO2 were expected, an air quality managment area was declared.
Monitoring stations in Leicester
Leicester meets all current national air quality objectives set out by DEFRA. We currently run five fixed automatic monitoring stations measuring pollutants: oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and large particulate matter (PM10).
| Site name | Site type | Pollutants monitored |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Lane | Roadside | N02 PM10 |
| Glenhills Way East | Roadside | N02 PM10 |
| Melton Road | Roadside | N02 PM10 |
| St Matthews Way | Roadside | N02 |
| Vaughan Way | Roadside | N02 PM10 |
Since 2011 there has been a gradual overall improvement in NO2 levels across all sites. Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, these levels have dropped further and remain at a level below the DEFRA air quality objective.
Historic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) information: data archive
You can find our air quality monitoring data that we produce to comply with local national standards below.
- View PM10 24 hour mean
- View PM10 annual mean
- View Nitrogen Dioxide annual mean
- View Nitrogen Dioxide hourly mean
If you have any questions regarding air quality in Leicester please email us.