Air quality

Air Quality

Many people are concerned about pollution in the air that they breathe and with very good reason, clean air is essential for health and helps to make High Peak Borough a pleasant place to live.

Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and the borough and district councils of Derbyshire have produced a short video about air pollution. You can find out what air pollution is and most importantly what small changes we can all make to improve air quality in Derbyshire.

There are many contributing factors to air pollution across the High Peak. The main pollutant of concern is nitrogen dioxide, and by far the largest contributor to this is road transport.

Air quality in our area 

We regularly monitor air quality across our areas and we know there are some places with higher pollution levels than others. All local authorities in the UK review and assess air quality in their area against the local air quality objectives. This is reported locally each year in our Annual Status Report (ASR). If any standards are unlikely to be met by the required date, then that area should be designated an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out measures to reduce air pollutants.

The main pollutant of concern in our region is nitrogen dioxide as a result of emissions from road traffic. In the majority of areas, levels of nitrogen dioxide are below the air quality objectives.

Annual Status Report (ASR)

The latest local air quality assessment and results of our local dioxide monitoring are available in the following document:

Air Quality - Annual Status Report (PDF, 6 MB)

Air Quality Management Areas

Further information on Air Quality Management Areas in the High Peak can be found on the High Peak Air Quality Management Areas webpage.

Concerns about air quality

We will investigate any complaints about air pollution, including the emission of:

• smoke
• fumes
• odours
• dust

We can all help

Due to the main source of air pollution within HPBC being transport sources, one of the easiest ways for the public to get involved in aiding air quality improvements consider alternatives modes of travel, or car sharing.

Air Aware

High Peak Borough Council are currently involved in the Air Aware project in collaboration with neighbouring Staffordshire Authorities. Part of the project has been the development of the air aware website, which contains lots of resources showing how you can help with air quality.

Smoke Control

In the High Peak, smoke control areas have been designated in Glossop and Buxton.

In a Smoke Control Area you need to make sure that your appliance is exempt or the fuel you use is included in the list of authorised fuels otherwise you could be fined.

To find out if you are in a Smoke Control Area, for guidance on appliances or fuels or for links to tips on reducing costs, improving safety and reducing air pollution from open fires or woodburning stoves please visit our smoke control webpage.