A scheme to cut air pollution along a busy stretch of road is set to come to an end after nine years.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council introduced an 'air quality management area' (AQMA) covering May Bank, Wolstanton and Porthill in 2015 due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) level exceeding legal limits in previous years.

But now the council is looking at revoking the AQMA, as NO2 levels have now been within the limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre for six calendar years. High levels of NO2, which is linked to road traffic, can cause or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma.

According to a council report, traffic levels on High Street and Porthill Bank have been falling due to the opening of Grange Lane Link Road, and more recently Etruria Valley Link Road. Councillors are today (Tuesday) expected to approve a six-week consultation on the proposed revocation with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

Newcastle Borough Council is looking at revoking the AQMA as N02 levels have been within the limit for six years (LDRS).

The report to the licensing and public protection committee states: "Air quality in this location is heavily influenced by traffic using the High Street at Wolstanton and May Bank and also Porthill Bank. Since the completion of works to the Grange Lane Link Road and Etruria Valley Link Road, there have been notable decreases in traffic movements along the above roads.

"The NO2 concentrations at this location dropped dramatically in 2016 and have been greater than 10 per cent below the UK NO2 annual mean objective for the past six full calendar years and continue to exhibit a downward trajectory. Given that this location has been complaint for the past six years and in accordance with DEFRA guidance and advice to the council, it is now recommended to revoke this AQMA."

Wolstanton ward councillor Richard Gorton agrees that traffic along the stretch has fallen in recent years. He said: "I think it's true. It's still busy, but it is less busy than it was before the link road opened. It would have been a concern if something like a bus gate had been introduced, as that would simply move the problem elsewhere.

"There are other things we could be doing to reduce air pollution, like planting more trees."

The council has also been working with other authorities on reducing N02 levels on Basford Bank (LDRS).

The government requires councils to revoke AQMAs where it can be 'robustly demonstrated' that there is ongoing compliance with air quality regulations, subject to a public consultation. An AQMA in Little Madeley was revoked last September following a drop in NO2 levels there. AQMAs remain in place in Newcastle and Kidsgrove town centres.

Meanwhile, the borough council has been working with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council on reducing NO2 levels on Basford Bank through the introduction of a bus gate, following a ministerial direction.

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