Air quality is generally improving in Rossendale but one stretch of road in Haslingden still has pollution levels which breach national standards, councillors are being told in an environmental health and public protection report.

Readings from two air testing tubes along Grane Road have been slightly higher than national air targets, according to the officers’ report for Rossendale Council’s cabinet.

The borough is required by law to produce an annual air quality report about local conditions. Traffic emissions are seen as the key source of pollution. But garden bonfires, burning of materials at commercial sites and smoky household chimneys are mentioned too.

The report states: “The main air quality concern in Rossendale continues to be nitrogen dioxide (NO2) caused by road traffic vehicles.”

If places are found to have pollution levels higher than national objectives, councils must declare an air quality management area (AQMA) and plan improvements.

Air pollution is improving across Rossendale, the report states, and two air quality management areas (AQMAs) at other locations were ended in 2022. In Haslingden, the Grane Road AQMA has shown consistent improvements in air quality and the trend continues downwards. A new action plan is being finalised.

In  air tests, readings of small particles, called particulates, are measured in micrograms per cubic metre – or mg µg/m3.  The national standard aimed for is 40 mg µg/m or lower. But one testing tube at 250 Grane Road recorded particulates at 41.6mg and another between 256-258 Grane Road recorded 40.7mg µg/m. However, these show a downward trend from almost 50.4 mg µg/m3 in the past.

On public health, the report adds: “Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally,  pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable  – children, the elderly and people with existing heart and lung conditions. Also areas with poor air quality are also often less-affluent areas.

“Health problems also cost the NHS and social care over £150 million a year. Approximately 80 per cent of a person’s health is determined by their activities and their home and community circumstances, rather than  medical  intervention.”

The Haslingden AQMA covers a stretch of road with 13 homes between Gas Street and Holden Place, numbered 240 to 268 Grane Road.

Action taken by the council has included promoting public awareness about the harm of smoke from open fires, investigating 60 requests for services relating to smoky household chimneys, the burning of fires in domestic and commercial sites, and giving advice about the effects of smoke. Smokeless fuels should be used on stoves and Rossendale is a smoke control area except for a few outlying rural homes, the report adds.

No significant changes to road layouts or other major highways

work are needed in Haslingden to allow air quality levels to fall within acceptable limits, the report adds. And developments including the growth of electric cars, the encouragement of walking and cycling, and other changes are highlighted.

The number of diffusion tubes across Rossendale will also be reduced, because the majority of the borough is consistently showing NO2 levels well below the air quality objective, the report adds.

However, the environmental health officer is not aware of any local air quality action group. There is a Clean Air Parents Network and the Rossendale Climate Network of like-minded individuals, schools, groups and businesses who are interested in practical action. In London, teenagers have formed a Choked-Up campaign to raise awareness of air pollution issues. Nationally, the Living Street UK charity aims to make walking a choice for everyday local journeys, the report adds.