Local air quality management
Local air quality management is a statutory process which places a legal duty on all local authorities to regularly review both the current and future air quality within their areas. These annual air quality reviews must follow Government guidance that sets health based objectives, which are based on what is considered acceptable given the known effects.
Disley Air Quality Management Area revocation
Over the past five years, monitoring data has shown a significant reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels within the A6 Market Street, Disley Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). Concentrations are now consistently below the national air quality objective. This improvement is a positive outcome and one the Council remains committed to sustaining. In addition, the Council has implemented several measures from the Air Quality Action Plan, which have contributed to these improvements. These actions include:
- Installing an air quality hurry call detector on the traffic signals on Market Street, to smooth traffic flow from Buxton Road.
- Reviewing the parking restrictions within the AQMA.
- Installing a real time analyser to monitor NO2 along Market Street and subsequently upgrading the analyser to also monitor PM2.5 and PM10.
- Commissioning of an options appraisal report on active travel facilities at the railway station, which will be followed up within the Poynton Town Development Plan.
- Commissioning of an options appraisal report for the installation of green screens along Market Street. This identified 5 locations will be reviewed and progressed during 2025.
- Reviewing the traffic signal sequence at the Redhouse Lane junction to ensure the flow of traffic on Buxton Road is only stopped when there is a vehicle waiting.
Following confirmation from Defra, the Council has revoked this last remaining AQMA due to the concentration of nitrogen dioxide being consistently below the national air quality objective. The Revocation Order came into force on the 31 December 2025.
The Council will continue to monitor nitrogen dioxide at worst-case locations in the revoked area, to confirm that the concentration remains compliant with the national objective and to gauge improvements in local air quality over time.
Air Quality Action Plan
Previously, developing an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) was a statutory requirement whenever an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared. These plans outlined the measures the Council would take to improve air quality in those areas.
Following significant improvements, Cheshire East no longer has any AQMAs. This means there is no requirement for an AQAP.
However, the Council remains committed to improving air quality across the borough in line with our Cheshire East Air Quality Strategy, ensuring cleaner, healthier air for everyone.
Air Quality Strategy
There is now a statutory requirement for all local authorities to have an Air Quality Strategy (AQS). The aim of the AQS is to support the achievement of how the council will undertake its air quality responsibilities and how it will work both across internal departments and other relevant external partners. This is important to ensure that air quality is considered as part of all relevant decisions and policies across the council.
Low Emission Strategy
Cheshire East has developed a Low Emission Strategy (LES) to ensure that current emissions are reduced as far as possible and emissions associated with new development are minimised. The LES will provide a package of measures selected on the basis of research and current best practice in emissions management.
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Page last reviewed: 18 September 2025
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