Air quality

What we are doing to improve air quality

We aim to improve air quality within South Tyneside by:

1. Routine air quality monitoring

We monitor Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM10) and (PM2.5) using continuous monitoring stations and non-continuous diffusion tubes; to ensure that there are no exceedances of national air quality and EU limit and target values. These are summarised in the National air quality objectives (Defra)

The monitoring stations operating within South Tyneside are:

Monitoring stationWithin Air Quality Management Area?
Boldon Lane, South ShieldsYes
Edinburgh Road, JarrowYes
Tyne Dock, Port of Tyne, South ShieldsNo

2. Enforcing air quality laws

We enforce the air quality provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1990; provision under the Clean Air Act 1993; we also regulate premises required to be permitted under the Local Authority Pollution Control Regime.

3. Ensuring air quality is considered for new development

An air quality assessment is required for certain new developments if they meet the air quality criteria under the Tyneside Validation Requirements.

If an air quality assessment provided for a new development indicates that it would have a detrimental effect on air quality, then appropriate mitigation measures will be discussed with the developer.

4. Traffic projects aiming at alleviating congestion

Including:

  • Lindisfarne and John Reid Road roundabouts (A194)
  • Arches junction improvements (A185/A194)

5. Promoting sustainable travel

Electric car charging points

There are a number of electric vehicle charging points across South Tyneside, see Electric car charging points.

To search all car charging points, visit National charge point registry.

Online journey planning

Plan a journey either by foot, bicycle or public transport using the Go Smarter Journey Planner.

Public transport

Discounted and multimodal tickets are often available for everyday journeys. You can contact individual operators for more information, or tickets are available for across Tyne and Wear from Nexus.

Cycling

Across South Tyneside there is a range of freely available cycle parking for residents and visitors, and a comprehensive network of sustainable travel routes. To plan a journey, view the Go Smarter cycle routes map.