Some theoretical and practical issues associated with the development of local air quality management in Great Britain

Abstract

It is accepted that the system of air quality management in Great Britain is no longer adequate for meeting the challenges posed by the late 20th Century. This paper will review the strategic framework for air quality improvements introduced into Great Britain by the Environment Act, 1995. This framework is designed to manage air quality at the level of the local authority. However, the tools necessary for the effective assessment and prediction of air quality are not widely available. Furthermore, the long term gains in air quality are anticipated to come from better integration of local government responsibilities such as land use planning, transportation planning and economic development. There is little evidence that the integration of these functions within local authorities is sufficiently well advanced to enable the comprehensive assessment of current and future local air quality to occur. The theoretical nature of the strategic policies of Great Britain are examined and some of the practical limitations of enacting the policy framework at the local level examined.