Air quality in Durham City

Monitoring and detailed assessment of air quality in Durham City has determined levels of nitrogen dioxide from road traffic emissions in some areas of the city exceeds the annual mean National Air Quality Objective for nitrogen dioxide. We are taking steps to address this.

Air quality monitoring and assessment locations

Air quality monitoring is carried out at a number of locations in the city, including main transport routes. To see the locations check the air quality monitoring map. These monitors measure the concentration of nitrogen dioxide each month, and this determines the annual mean reading.

We also currently operate a continuous air quality monitor at Leazes Road next to the Framwellgate/Milburngate roundabout, on the south side of the Highgate residential estate. These results can be viewed on the UK Air Quality website.

Declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)

2011

An AQMA that includes Highgate, Milburngate and the Gilesgate areas of the city was declared on 9 May 2011 after a consultation with local residents and other interested parties. The order, boundary map and a list of properties falling within it is available:

Because nitrogen dioxide levels have been previously identified as a problem, detailed assessments of the air quality have been carried out. These reports include dispersion levels of nitrogen dioxide in other areas of the city.

2012

Following the declaration of the AQMA in May 2011, a further assessment of the air quality was carried out that enabled us to identify the source of these emissions. The information has been used in determining solutions to address the air quality issues in the city:

Durham Air Quality Management - Further Assessment Report 2012 (PDF, 540 KB)

We no longer have to carry out further assessments, as the main sources of increased nitrogen dioxide concentrations are included in our Air Quality Action Plan.

2014

The outcome of the detailed assessment of air quality has determined levels of nitrogen dioxide in other areas of Durham City that are above the annual mean national air quality objective. Therefore the declared AQMA was extended in July 2014 to incorporate the western area of the city through the junctions at Crossgate Lights and Neville's Cross to the Stonebridge roundabout together with sections of Claypath and New Elvet. The order includes a map showing the full extent of the AQMA that was amended in 2014:

Durham City Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) 2014 Order (PDF, 3 MB)

2018

Further monitoring sites were subsequently set up on Church Street, New Elvet outside the boundary of the declared Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

These locations on Church Street are close to the junction with Hallgarth Street where there are two/three sided buildings on either side of the carriageway. It was previously determined that the air quality annual mean objective was being exceeded/likely to be exceeded at these locations. The boundary of the AQMA was therefore extended to incorporate a further short section of Church Street.

Current assessment

The previous requirement for us to undertake detailed assessments following the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) has been replaced. We now have to make an annual review and assessment of air quality across the County, and this includes Durham City. The outcome of the review and assessment is reported annually to DEFRA, and the report is available at How we check air quality.

The Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP)

Following the declaration of an AQMA, we are required to produce an AQAP.

The first AQAP for Durham City ,to address levels of nitrogen dioxide which were exceeding the air quality objective for this pollutant, was adopted on the 15 June 2016.

This plan has now been reviewed following a public consultation exercise and engagement with key partners and the local community. The new plan, Air Quality Action Plan for Durham City (revised 2025) (PDF, 10 MB) which was approved by Cabinet on the 12 March 2025, will cover the period 2025 to 2030.

Further information

Please Contact Pollution Control

for paper copies, or alternative formats, of any of the electronic reports on this page
with any questions about air quality in the county

Contact Pollution Control

Email pollution.control@durham.gov.uk
Telephone 03000 261 016

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