Local air quality management is a statutory process which places a legal duty on all local authorities to regularly review both the current and future air quality within their areas. These annual air quality reviews (ASR) must follow Government guidance that sets health based objectives, which are based on what is considered acceptable given the known effects.
Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health team monitors:
Monitoring is undertaken using diffusion tubes. There are currently 35 monitoring sites across the Borough. In January 2026, this will increase to 48.
The National Air Quality Objectives and European Directive limit specify target values to protect human health.
Each year the council presents an update on local air quality by submitting an Annual Status Report (ASR) to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The most recent ASR reports can be viewed below.
We are required to undertake a regular review and assessment of the air quality within the borough and assess levels of air pollution against the air quality objectives. If levels are found to be in excess of these objectives, we must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and develop an action plan to set out measures to work towards achieving the objectives. Currently Knowsley have no AQMA’s.
The Annual Status Report provides an update on monitoring undertaken and progress towards the various actions set out in our action plan. The latest reports can be viewed below:
Where appropriate, developers have to consider the impact of their proposed development on air quality. If necessary, developers may have to appoint a consultant to undertake an Air Quality Assessment to look at the potential impact the development would have on existing air quality. Included within the assessment must be a baseline study which requires the latest monitoring data from Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (KMBC) to be included and must take into account the most recent review and assessment reports, along with other development sites that have been granted planning permission however may not be built yet.
For further enquiries regarding Air Quality in Knowsley please contact EnvironmentalHealth@Knowsley.gov.uk