Find out more about the state of air quality in Leeds in this executive summary of our annual status report.
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Air quality trends and data
Air quality in Leeds has improved significantly in recent years, continuing a long-term trend.
There are two air pollutants of concern for Leeds:
- nitrogen dioxide (NO2), of which the main source is vehicle emissions and the burning of other fossil fuels
- particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), of which a third is from sources outside of the UK and a half comes from domestic wood burning or transport emissions
Other pollutants, including ammonia, are found at levels well within the national and World Health Organisation guidelines in Leeds.
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic meant significant reductions in vehicle traffic and industrial activity. This disruption led to pollution levels falling more significantly that year than would otherwise have been expected.
By 2021, most of the disruption from the pandemic had eased. Despite the return to more typical behaviours, pollution levels measured in Leeds remain notably lower than in 2019 or earlier years. This suggests that the long-term trend of improving air quality continues.
Nevertheless, air pollution can still be linked to
. For this reason, Leeds City Council has published an
air quality strategy and action plan that aims to ensure pollution levels continue to fall for years to come to save lives and improve the city’s health.
The charts below show the long-term trend for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at two locations in Leeds.
Click to enlarge
| | Leeds Centre AURN | Headingley Kerbside Affiliated AURN | Air Quality Objective |
|---|
| 1993 | 50 | | 40 |
| 1994 | 54 | | 40 |
| 1995 | 50 | | 40 |
| 1996 | 52 | | 40 |
| 1997 | 51 | | 40 |
| 1998 | 46 | | 40 |
| 1999 | 43 | | 40 |
| 2000 | 37 | | 40 |
| 2001 | 36 | | 40 |
| 2002 | 39 | | 40 |
| 2003 | 40 | | 40 |
| 2004 | 31 | | 40 |
| 2005 | 31 | | 40 |
| 2006 | 39 | | 40 |
| 2007 | 37 | | 40 |
| 2008 | 35 | | 40 |
| 2009 | 34 | 48 | 40 |
| 2010 | 36 | 51 | 40 |
| 2011 | 38 | 44 | 40 |
| 2012 | 36 | 44 | 40 |
| 2013 | 34 | 43 | 40 |
| 2014 | 38 | 45 | 40 |
| 2015 | 31 | 40 | 40 |
| 2016 | 33 | 40 | 40 |
| 2017 | 32 | 35 | 40 |
| 2018 | 30 | 33 | 40 |
| 2019 | 28 | 28 | 40 |
| 2020 | 21 | 20 | 40 |
| 2021 | 22 | 23 | 40 |
Compliance with UK air quality regulations
Outdoor air pollution in the city, its suburbs and surrounding rural areas complied with UK air quality regulations in 2021.
One monitor near Kirkstall Road measured pollution levels higher than permitted by the national air quality objectives.
Some locations in the city centre and near Kirkstall Road also measured levels of pollution higher than the objectives, however people are unlikely to be exposed to pollution for an hour or longer at these locations.
The council will closely monitor all of these locations to determine whether further action is necessary.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
The UK Air Quality Objective sets a limit of 40µg/m3 on the level of nitrogen dioxide that should be measured at each location and averaged over a one-year period.
Outdoor air pollution in most parts of the city, its suburbs, and surrounding rural areas complied with UK air quality regulations in 2021.
One monitor near Kirkstall Road measured pollution levels higher (42.3µg/m3) than permitted by the national air quality objectives and is at a location where some people are likely to be exposed for an hour or longer.
Some locations in the city centre and near Kirkstall Road also measured levels of pollution higher than the objectives, however people are unlikely to be exposed to pollution for an hour or longer at these locations. These were:
- Bishopgate Street
- St Peter’s Square
- Joseph’s Well
- Neville Street
- New Station Street
- City Square
- Kirkstall Road
Air quality is expected to improve around City Square, Bishopgate Street, Neville Street and New Station Street as a result of the Leeds City Square highways improvement scheme in 2023. Further monitoring will be undertaken at the Kirkstall Road, Joseph’s Well, and St Peter’s Square sites to understand whether further action is required.
Annual average NO2 concentrations at several locations in Leeds (2021)
Click to enlarge
| | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|
A1 Leeds Centre (AURN) | 36 | 34 | 38 | 31 | 33 |
A2 Corn Exchange | 55 | 57 | 55 | 54 | 51 |
A3 Headingley (AURN) | 44 | 43 | 45 | 40 | 40 |
A6 Haslewood Close | 46 | 45 | 45 | 46 | 38 |
A9 Jack Lane, Hunslet | 45 | 43 | 47 | 46 | 45 |
A17 Kirkstall Road | 32 | 32 | 33 | 30 | 29 |
A18 Temple Newsam | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
A19 Tilbury Terrace | 44 | 39 | 44 | 38 | 37 |
A20 International Pool | No data | No data | No data | No data | 42 |
A21 Bishopgate Street | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data |
A22 Abbey Road | No data | No data | No data | No data | No data |
UK Air Quality Objective | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|
A1 Leeds Centre (AURN) | 32 | 30 | 28 | 21 | 22 |
A2 Corn Exchange | 54 | 51 | 49 | 38 | 38 |
A3 Headingley (AURN) | 35 | 33 | 28 | 20 | 23 |
A6 Haslewood Close | 42 | 40 | No data | No data | No data |
A9 Jack Lane, Hunslet | 43 | 41 | 39 | 31 | 34 |
A17 Kirkstall Road | 27 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 21 |
A18 Temple Newsam | 18 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 |
A19 Tilbury Terrace | 34 | 31 | 33 | 24 | N/A |
A20 International Pool | 38 | 36 | 40 | 29 | 32 |
A21 Bishopgate Street | 67 | 58 | 58 | 42 | 45 |
A22 Abbey Road | 45 | 39 | 36 | 27 | 27 |
UK Air Quality Objective | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
The UK Air Quality Objective also limits the number of hours that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations should exceed 200µg/m3. No single location should exceed this limit more than 18 hours in a single year.
In 2021, every air quality monitoring location in Leeds recorded 0 hours with nitrogen dioxide exceeding 200µg/m3 .
Particulates (PM10 and PM2.5)
The UK Air Quality Objective sets a limit of 40µg/m3 for PM10 and 20 µg/m3 for PM2.5 on the level of particulates that should be measured at each location and averaged over a one-year period.
Outdoor air pollution in the city, its suburbs and surrounding rural areas complied with the UK Air Quality Regulations for nitrogen dioxide in 2021.
Annual average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at Leeds Centre and Headingley Kerbside AURN sites (2021)
Click to enlarge
| | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|
| Leeds Centre AURN (PM10) | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 17 |
| Leeds Centre AURN (PM2.5) | 16 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
| Headingley Kerbside Affiliated AURN (PM10) | 22 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 19 |
| Headingley Kerbside Affiliated AURN (PM2.5) | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
| UK Air Quality Objective (PM10) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| UK Air Quality Objective (PM2.5) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|
| Leeds Centre AURN (PM10) | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 |
| Leeds Centre AURN (PM2.5) | 10 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 8 |
| Headingley Kerbside Affiliated AURN (PM10) | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Headingley Kerbside Affiliated AURN (PM2.5) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
| UK Air Quality Objective (PM10) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| UK Air Quality Objective (PM2.5) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
The UK Air Quality Objective also limits the number of 24-hour periods where particulate matter (PM10) concentrations should exceed 50µg/m3. No single location should exceed this limit more than 35 days in a single year.
In 2021, every location monitored in Leeds met this daily PM10 limit. The Leeds Centre AURN monitoring site recorded 0 days above this concentration. The Headingley Kerbside AURN monitoring site recorded 4 days above this concentration.
Why do we monitor local air quality
Air quality monitoring is a statutory duty that all local councils must undertake. Monitoring helps us understand the levels of air pollution that people in Leeds are being exposed to and whether these levels are lawful. Monitoring is also important for determining whether the city is on track to meet the stricter air quality targets set out in the
Leeds Air Quality Strategy.
Air pollution is one of the major environmental risks to our health. Pollution in the air we breathe is associated with many different health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. 54 of every 1000 deaths that occur in Leeds
.
The mortality burden of air pollution within the UK is equivalent to 28,000 to 36,000 deaths at typical ages, with a total estimated healthcare cost to the NHS and social care of £157 million in 2017.
More information about the health impacts of exposure to air pollution and advice on how individuals can protect themselves can be found on the
‘Protect yourself from air pollution’ webpage of the council’s Clean Air Leeds website.
How air quality is monitored and measured in Leeds
Leeds City Council follows the national methodology for monitoring air pollution.
Air pollution can be extremely local to its source, varying on an hour-by-hour and street-by-street basis. This means that pollution levels at even a single location can change significantly when measured at different times of day.
Because pollution levels at any location can go up and down throughout the day—and because there are different health risks associated with both short-term and long-term exposure—we measure and assess air quality based on yearly, daily, and hourly average (mean) levels of pollution:
- Measuring the average pollution levels across an entire year helps us to understand the typical levels of air pollution a person at this location would have been exposed to over a long-term period. It also allows us to factor in any seasonal variations such as the important role played by weather.
- Measuring the average pollution levels within any 24-hour or 1-hour period helps us to understand the day-to-day variations in air quality. This can be useful to help us understand the maximum levels of air pollutants a person at this location could have been exposed to over a short-term period.
Even though we know that air pollution varies significantly from one street to the next, it isn’t practical to measure air quality on every road in Leeds. Our approach instead is to monitor a sample of locations where we would expect higher levels of pollution. This helps us to better understand the highest levels of pollution that people in Leeds are realistically being exposed to. However, caution should be taken when interpreting and using this data for modelling.
The Leeds City Council and DEFRA monitoring network for 2021 included:
- 9 automatic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitors which allow the hourly average air quality objective to be assessed as well as the yearly average air quality objective
- 2 automatic particulate matter (PM) monitors which allow the 24-hour average and yearly average air quality objectives to be assessed
- 217 manual diffusion tubes which provide a monthly and yearly average concentration for NO2
A map showing all 9 of the automatic nitrogen dioxide monitors this year can be seen below.
Click to enlarge
A map showing all 217 of the manual diffusion tube locations monitored this year can be seen below.
Click to enlarge
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.
If a local authority finds any places where the objectives detailed above are not likely to be achieved, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This area could be just one or two streets, or it could be much bigger.
Leeds City Council has previously declared 6 AQMAs within the district due to exceedances of NO2 objectives. However, monitoring shows air quality is consistently improving and meeting the UK Air Quality Regulations within each of these areas.
In 2021, all 6 AQMAs were measured with pollution levels within the UK air quality objectives. With the exception of the Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA, each of these AQMAs have now been compliant for a number of years.
The council will begin the process of formally revoking all but the Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA in 2023. The Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA will continue to be kept under review to ensure the area permanently complies with the air quality objectives.
Further information related to our AQMAs is available on the UK AIR website.
Actions to Improve Air Quality
What the UK Government is doing to improve air quality
Whilst air quality has improved significantly in recent years there are some areas where local action is needed to improve air quality further.
The 2019 Clean Air Strategy sets out the case for action, with goals to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants. The Road to Zero sets out the approach to reduce exhaust emissions from road transport through a number of mechanisms; this is extremely important given that the majority of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are designated due to elevated concentrations heavily influenced by transport emissions.
What Leeds City Council is doing to improve air quality
Leeds City Council is committed to reducing Leeds' emissions to protect the health of everyone in the city. Doing so supports the strategic pillars (inclusive growth, zero carbon, health and wellbeing) of our Best City Ambition. The council recognises that there are no truly 'safe' levels of air pollution: any exposure to polluted air can have a detrimental impact on our health.
The Leeds Air Quality Strategy 2021-2030 sets out actions that the council is taking to reduce exposure to, and tackle the sources of, air pollution. The strategy also set new targets for local air quality that seek more rapid improvements than required by UK law.
More information about the steps we are taking to protect residents from air pollution can be found on the 'What we are doing about air pollution' webpage on the Clean Air Leeds website. A summary detailing a few recent examples of completed work is included below.
Recent examples of actions to improve local air quality
Supporting businesses to switch to cleaner vehicles
Improving charging infrastructure for cleaner plug-in vehicles
Plug-in vehicles are significantly cleaner and greener than petrol or diesel models. Official data shows that there are now more than 39,000 registered in Leeds.
By facilitating the installation of plug-in vehicle charge points at more locations, Leeds City Council is making it easier and attractive for drivers to use these cleaner vehicles.
We have worked with several partners to secured funding and install vehicle charge points at dozens of off-street locations. According to official data, there are now 415 public charge points available in Leeds.
Since 2019, local
planning policies have required developers to install vehicle charge points in all new developments, both residential and non-residential, with parking.
The council is also supporting work by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop a regional strategy for the development of plug-in vehicle infrastructure.
Progressively switching our fleet to cleaner zero emission vehicles
Electric and other zero emission vehicles are significantly cleaner and greener than traditional models and can be cheaper to run and maintain.
Leeds City Council is leading by example to demonstrate the capability and cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles by gradually replacing our fleet of council vehicles with EVs where doing so can be shown to save money over the long-term. We believe our current fleet of 384 electric vehicles is the largest of any local authority.
The council is also a proud signatory of the Clean Van Commitment.
Lending electric vehicles through a 'try-before-you-buy' scheme
Electric vehicles are significantly cleaner and greener than traditional models and can be cheaper to run and maintain. Leeds City Council offered free trials of a range of different electric vehicles as part of its 'EV Trials' scheme.
In partnership with Highways England, the council launched free electric van trials for local businesses and charities in January 2020. More than 200 trials took place, with participants driving 300,000 zero emission miles using borrowed vehicles. 97% of participants reported satisfaction with the scheme and more than half said that they would purchase or lease electric vehicles following the trial.
A similar e-cargo bike trial scheme for businesses launched in March 2021 and is still available.
The council also launched free trials of electric bikes for residents in September 2020. 162 trials took place, with participants collectively travelling around 13,600 miles by bike. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of participants said that they were likely to purchase an e-bike following their trial.
Opening Park and Ride sites to reduce car journeys into the city centre
Leeds City Council has worked in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and First Leeds to introduce major new and expanded park and ride sites at Elland Road, Temple Green, and Stourton.
The Stourton facility is served by electric double decker buses and is the UK's first fully solar powered park and ride site. Collectively, the three sites can help reduce city centre traffic by up to 3,949 vehicles at any one time.
Promoting sustainable travel in and around schools
Children are amongst the most vulnerable to the health effects of breathing polluted air. Leeds City Council works with schools to promote sustainable travel, helping to tackle local air pollution around schools and create healthy, sustainable habits in young people. Around 98% of schools in Leeds have an approved school travel plan.
Every year, we also work with local schools to offer free bike and scooter training, competitions and sustainable travel events for school pupils.
'School Streets' introduce targeted traffic restrictions to specific roads around participating schools at certain times of the day to make it safer for people to walk, scoot and cycle. We supported fourteen schools to introduce 'School Streets' in 2020. Initial feedback showed that pupils, staff and families welcomed the extra space, fresher air, quieter neighbourhood and safer roads.
In 2021, the council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority secured funding to install scooter and bike parking at nineteen schools from the Department for Transport's Active Travel Fund. 162 secure bicycle parking spaces and 200 scooter parking spaces will make it even more convenient for children and their parents to choose cleaner, healthier transport.
Raising awareness of pollution caused by idling
Some Leeds schools report problems with vehicles idling and emitting unnecessary pollution outside of school gates and roads immediately adjacent, despite children being amongst the most vulnerable to the health effects of breathing polluted air.
To help raise awareness of the harms of idling, Leeds City Council has designed and distributed more than 190 large weatherproof anti-idling banners to dozens of Leeds schools completely free of charge. The banners have been positively received by schools that have installed them.
Improving public transport services by installing new infrastructure
Leeds City Council has recently installed a £173.5m programme of transport improvements including bus priority lanes, cycle lanes, modernised transport facilities and improved public spaces.
Combined with private investment from bus companies, the Leeds Transport Improvement Programme totalled
more than £270 million of investment that completed in 2022.
The work supports the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy vision of transforming travel in Leeds to make it easy and convenient to get around without a car. The upgrades support modal shift towards cycling and public transport and will help reduce emissions from private transport.
More information about the council's transport policy can be read online.
Smoke Control Area
Particulate pollution from domestic sources is recognised as an area of concern in Leeds as it is across much of the country.
Most of Leeds is a smoke control area, which means that residents cannot emit smoke from a chimney unless burning an authorised fuel or using an exempt appliance. Residents can be fined up to £1000 if they break the rules.
Enforcement protocols are in place within the Council's Cleaner Neighbourhood Team to take the appropriate action in cases of non-compliance with smoke control and environmental protection legislation.
Reducing emissions from construction and industry
Dust from demolition and construction can create a significant amount of particulate pollution. The council limits the impact of these activities on local air quality by requiring developers to abide by planning conditions and follow site management plans.
Emissions from a range of industrial and commercial processes can also contribute to local pollution. These are regulated by Leeds City Council under the provisions of the Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime.
As part of this regime, certain businesses are required by law to hold an up to date
environmental permit. The permit confirms that a business' activities meet national regulations designed to limit pollution. Permits can be refused or revoked if a business fails to comply with the national regulations.
Environmental permits for some sites are regulated by the Environment Agency instead of the local authority.
Promoting sustainable garden waste disposal
The burning of garden waste contributes to local particulate pollution and can be a nuisance.
Leeds City Council supports residents to dispose of garden waste sustainably by providing the largest free garden waste collection service in the UK.
Domestic garden waste is also accepted free of charge at all eight household waste sites across Leeds.
Leeds residents can also
purchase their own home garden composter at a substantial discount through the council's partner.
Local engagement and how to get involved
Governance
Leeds City Council consulted on plans for a charging Clean Air Zone and other air quality measures in 2018. The council received more than 12,000 responses in total, of which the vast majority were supportive of action to tackle air pollution.
Following the decision to discontinue the planned charging Clean Air Zone due to reductions in air pollution, the council published an updated Leeds Air Quality Strategy 2021-2030 and accompanying action plan in July 2021. Many of the actions contained within this plan have been subject to public consultation. The council’s Executive Board and
Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board regularly review the strategy’s progress.
Reducing the impact of poor air quality on health has also been identified as a current priority of Leeds’ Health Protection Board, which publicly reports updates on its work to the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board.
Engagement
Leeds City Council has published extensive information and advice online at the Clean Air Leeds website. The website has been designed and written to be as accessible as possible to facilitate public understanding and transparency. It fully complies with the public sector accessibility regulations. Content includes:
- air pollution and air quality in Leeds
- what we are doing about air pollution
- how to reduce your emissions
- protect yourself from air pollution
- report air quality and pollution issues
- watch a video about air pollution in Leeds
The council regularly engages with residents about air quality and related issues on social media through the dedicated Climate Emergency and Air Quality account on Twitter (@LeedsCC_CEAQ) and other social media channels. A monthly email newsletter with the latest updates and opportunities relating to climate action and air quality is also published and currently has more than 7,500 subscribers.
Additionally, the council marks awareness days including national Clean Air Day with a range of events, announcements, and campaigns to raise awareness of important key messages. Among other activities, Clean Air Day 2021 saw the launch of a new air pollution alert service and the promotion of a dedicated virtual conference for health professionals highlighting the impacts of air quality.
The council regularly engages with businesses one-to-one and encourages organisations to sign up to the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network to create cost-effective, sustainable ways to travel for business and to commute to work. 2021 also saw the popular ‘EV Trials’ scheme continue.
The council’s Influencing Travel Behaviour service regularly engages with schools and school pupils to encourage safe and sustainable travel.
Finally, council officers and councillors meet with the Leeds Clean Air Alliance local action group by attending meetings several times a year and ensuring the group can feedback on policy proposals.
Local responsibilities and commitment
This Annual Status Report (ASR) was prepared by the Environmental Health team of Leeds City Council with the support and agreement of the following officers and departments:
- Climate, Energy & Green Spaces
- Environmental Advisory Service
- Health Protection
- Transport
- Web team
This ASR has been approved by:
- Helen Hayden, executive member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
- Salma Arif, executive member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Active Lifestyles
- Mohammed Rafique, executive member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Space
- Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health
- Polly Cook, Chief Officer for Climate, Energy & Green Spaces
- Paul Spandler, Environmental Health Manager
Conclusions and priorities
Air quality in Leeds has improved significantly in recent years, continuing a long-term trend.
Despite the return to more typical behaviours following the disruption caused by the pandemic in 2020, pollution levels measured in Leeds in 2021 remain notably lower than in 2019 or earlier years. This suggests that the long-term trend of improving air quality continues.
Outdoor air pollution in most of the city, its suburbs and surrounding rural areas complied with the UK air quality regulations for nitrogen dioxide exposure (short-term and long-term) in 2021.
One monitor near Kirkstall Road measured pollution levels higher (42.3µg/m3) than permitted (40µg/m3 ) by the national air quality objectives and is at a location where some people are likely to be exposed for an hour or longer.
Some locations in the city centre and near Kirkstall Road also measured levels of pollution higher than the objectives, however people are unlikely to be exposed to pollution for an hour or longer at these locations.
The council will closely monitor all of these locations to determine whether further action is necessary.
Going forwards, air quality is expected to improve at many locations within the city centre because of planned highways improvement and reprioritisation schemes.
Leeds has previously identified 6 designated Air Quality Management Areas. In 2021, all of these were measured with pollution levels within the UK air quality objectives. With the exception of the Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA, each of these AQMAs have now been compliant for a number of years. The council will begin the process of formally revoking all but the Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA in 2023. The Pool-in-Wharfedale AQMA will continue to be kept under review to ensure the area permanently complies with the air quality objectives.
While the city’s air quality is cleaner than any time on record before the pandemic, air pollution was still linked to
. For this reason, Leeds City Council has published an
air quality strategy and action plan that aims to ensure pollution levels continue to fall for years to come to save lives and improve the city’s health. More information about the council’s work can be found at:
www.leeds.gov.uk/cleanair
If you have any comments on this ASR please send them to:
