Air quality

The council reviews air quality conditions on an annual basis, so that we can identify any changes and take action where we consider air quality may exceed national targets.

Where national targets are exceeded, an Air Quality Management Area is designated, following which improvements in air quality will be initiated.

Over 200 councils in the UK have declared Air Quality Management Areas.

Currently, two areas of South Tyneside have been declared as Air Quality Management Areas, because observations show that Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels exceed the national objective value.

Air Quality Management Areas in South Tyneside are:

• Boldon Lane, South Shields - A busy, narrow road. Queuing traffic close to housing is very common.
• Leam Lane / Lindisfarne Roundabout, Jarrow - A major commuter route linking South Shields with the rest of Tyne and Wear. The highway is extremely busy, influenced by traffic on the Tyne Tunnel Approach Road, and suffers queuing traffic close to housing between Lindisfarne roundabout and the junction with John Reid Road.