By Daniel Wood
Kirklees Council has a new action plan to reduce air pollution in these key areas.
The Air Quality Action Plan, set in place by Kirklees Council, hopes to reduce very high levels of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particles (PM10) in the nine areas of the borough.
The five-year plan that is set to last until 2024 includes tasks such as: redesigning congested junctions; encouraging cycling; free parking for electric vehicles and car clubs; installing bus lanes and bus-only traffic lights.
The plan was outlined in a report that said:
“The air quality issues within Kirklees are focused around the road network connecting towns, and traffic which passes between the West Yorkshire conurbation along the M62 and Greater Manchester.
“Kirklees Council have conducted monitoring across the district where these primary roads are in close proximity to relevant human activity. To date, Kirklees has identified two primary pollutants in concern. They are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter.”
The annual average level of NO2 should not exceed 40 micrograms per cubed metre of air (μg/m3), but some areas in Kirklees exceed 40μg/m3 and in some places, it even exceeds 60μg/m3.
The key areas picked for the action plan are:
Bradley
At the junction of Bradley Road and Leeds Road NO2 was estimated to be rising to 50μg/m3 in 2015.
Ainley Top
Blackley New Road and Ainley Top roundabout had an estimated level of up to 60μg/m3 with some areas next to the M62 exceeding 60μg/m3.
Edgerton
NO2 levels are estimated to have exceeded 60μg/m3 at the junction of Halifax Road and Blacker Road.
Outlane
The area next to the M62 has a residential area where NO2 levels are estimated to have exceeded 60μg/m3.
Huddersfield Town Centre
Areas around the ring road had estimated NO2 levels of above 40μg/m3. Around the Shorehead roundabout, levels exceeded 60μg/m3.
Other Areas
The A638 Wakefield Road area of Dewsbury had estimated NO2 levels of above 60μg/m3.
The Bradford Road area between Heckmondwike and Liversedge had a NO2 level exceeding 40μg/m3 and 60μg/m3 at the junction with Leeds Road.
The junction of Whitehall Road and Bradford Road at Birkenshaw had NO2 levels exceeding 40μg/m3.
Scout Hill, Dewsbury, is also on the list for elevated levels of PM10s.
These areas were approved by councillors in November 2019.
