Air Quality in South Tyneside

In 1997 the Government set out their National Air Quality Strategy with the aims of setting future policy, protecting public health and the natural environment, identifying current and future levels of air pollution, and setting out what everyone can do to improve air quality.

Every Local Authority has an important part to play in this, and for some years South Tyneside has been working with the other Tyne and Wear Councils to assess local levels of a range of important pollutants and to identify where action needs to be taken in the long term to ensure that our residents can benefit from the best air quality possible.

The Council review conditions, and factors that can affect them, on an annual basis so that we can identify any changes and take action where we consider air quality may exceed national targets. Recently this process has identified that there are currently two areas in the Borough that require a more detailed investigation and may eventually require some action to ensure that we comply with the aims of the National Strategy. We have attached maps for information that identify the areas of:

  • Boldon Lane, South Shields.
  • Leam Lane/ Lindisfarne Roundabout, Jarrow.

The Council are undertaking more extensive monitoring and other assessments, but at the same time we are required by the 1995 Environment Act to also declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA). An AQMA is an area in which measures are put in place to improve air quality.

Air pollution in towns and cities was traditionally due to coal fires and heavy industry, but these days poor air quality is mainly due to volumes of road traffic and congestion.

Looking at the two areas we have identified - Boldon Lane is a busy narrow road, and queuing traffic close to housing is very common. Lindisfarne Roundabout and a section of Leam Lane is a major commuter route linking South Shields with the rest of Tyne and Wear. The highway is extremely busy, influenced by traffic on the Tyne Tunnel Approach Road, and suffers queuing traffic close to housing between Lindisfarne roundabout and the junction with John Reid Road.

At this time we can tell you that air quality is slightly worse than the rest of the Borough and there is no evidence to suggest that there is any more risk to your health. Where it may be necessary to take action to improve air quality, we are legally obliged to do so.

The Council has already started taking action, but once the AQMA is established we will be developing a set of possible changes to improve air quality and the most likely solutions will be presented for consultation. At the same time as monitoring levels of air pollutants, we will work with the community to produce an Action Plan over the next 18 months. You will be fully consulted and we will arrange publicity when any consultations are due.

Sources of information on Air quality

Improving Air Quality

There are also ways in which you can help improve air quality in your area. Since poor air quality in South Tyneside is mostly due to vehicle use you could:

  • Minimise short car trips where possible, using public transport for instance
  • Think about car sharing if you travel somewhere regularly.
  • Switch vehicle engines off when stationary.
  • Keep your car regularly serviced to minimise polluting emissions.

More Information

If you would like to know more about air quality in South Tyneside or the Local Air Quality Management process in general, please contact:

Veronia Jukes (Environmental Protection Officer)
Environmental Health
Tel:(0191) 4247928
Email: veronica.jukes@southtyneside.gov.uk.