2026 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

Since December 1997 each local authority in the UK has been carrying out a review and assessment of air quality in their area. This involves measuring air pollution and trying to predict how it will change in the next few years. The aim of the review is to make sure that the national air quality objectives (PDF) will be achieved throughout the UK by the relevant deadlines. These objectives have been put in place to protect people's health and the environment. If a local authority finds any places where the objectives are not likely to be achieved, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) there. This area could be just one or two streets, or it could be much bigger. For more information about AQMAs refer to guidance on GOV.WALES. © Crown 2026 copyright Defra via uk-air.defra.gov.uk, licenced under the Open Government Licence (OGL).