Defra publishes consultation outcome on LAQM

Article summary

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the outcomes from its consultation on local air quality management policy guidance (LAQM). Defra received 168 responses from the consultation, which the government took into consideration and updated its LAQM policy guidance. These changes are part of Defra's new measures to improve air quality. The guidance amendments will, take into account the Environment Act 2021, improve the LAQM framework to support authorities in taking more effective action to meet air quality objectives, require an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) to be declared within 12 months of identifying an exceedance of the air quality objectives, require local authorities to produce an Air Quality Action Plan within 18 months of declaring an AQMA, and set a reminder and warning alert system to increase local council compliance.