PEOPLE are able to breath easier in Salisbury after work took place to improve air quality in high-traffic areas of the city.

Salisbury’s London Road/St Marks Roundabout, Wilton Road/St Pauls Roundabout and the city centre are classified as air quality management zones (AQMAs) as they previously breached the annual mean objective of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant commonly associated with traffic emissions.

The area previously breached the annual mean objective of 40µg/m³, along with areas elsewhere in the county such as Masons Lane in Bradford on Avon, Herd Street/London Road in Marlborough, New Road/London Road in Calne, Haynes Road/Warminster Road in Westbury and Brewery Corner in Devizes.

These areas, often characterised by narrow, canyon-like road layouts and heavy traffic, presented challenges for pollution dispersal, Wiltshire Council said.

However, sustained efforts through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), targeted monitoring, and community engagement have helped to deliver significant improvements.

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Wiltshire Council’s 2024 annual status report, submitted to Defra in July, confirms that nitrogen dioxide levels have remained below the national objective in all AQMA for the first time.

This paves the way for the potential revocation of some AQMAs, over the next 12 months in line with Defra’s technical guidance, which requires either three consecutive years of data 10% below the objective or five years below the threshold.

Councillor Paul Sample JP, cabinet member for environment and climate, said he is delighted with the results.

“Air pollution contributes to the equivalent of 30,000 deaths in the UK this year – according to the Royal College of Physicians,” he said.

“No-one in Wiltshire wants to live in a county that has high levels of air pollution. This work is all about safeguarding and improving the health of residents – and future generations.

“I am delighted that the quality of air in our eight AQMAs now meets the targets set. It is a big environmental and public health milestone.

“However, the hard work won’t stop. Wiltshire Council are committed to gathering evidence to help us maintain and improve air quality.

“Our air quality annual status report has been sent to the Government. It summarises our efforts to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.

“It includes the launch of the Wiltshire Community Air Network. Our AQAP will make sure we stay on track in making Wiltshire a great place to breathe!

“We have also launched an air quality supplementary planning document. This is expected to go forward for adoption by the new administration in October. Lots of positive work has taken place and there’s much more to come as our focus shifts to tiny particles like PM2.5.”

This achievement aligns with Wiltshire Council’s broader environmental priorities outlined in the new council plan, which emphasises protecting the environment for future generations and promotes healthier lives.

One of the key measures contained in the AQAP is the development of supplementary planning guidance as development within the county has a significant influence on the county’s roads which are the primary source of nitrogen dioxide.

Supplementary planning guidance has been developed and will be considered by the council’s cabinet at its meeting in October, that will require developers to not solely focus on nitrogen dioxide levels within the eight AQMAs but also recognise increasing public concern about very fine particulates (PM2.5) and on electric vehicle infrastructure.

The council’s Wiltshire Community Air Network, which launched earlier in the year, has a particular focus on PM2.5.

For more information on Wiltshire’s air quality initiatives, visit Wiltshire Council’s Air Quality page at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/env-health-air-quality