Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) in Bradford

Government expect that all local authorities should report annually on air quality in their districts. This report is called the Annual Status Report (ASR). Where the ASR identifies that national air quality objectives are not being achieved, or not likely to be achieved, the local authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and develop an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) detailing measures to improve air quality within the AQMA(s).

Bradford’s latest ASR reports are available below. We know that some of these reports are not accessible. If you need help accessing the information in these reports, please contact us using our online form or call 01274 435533.

• 2023 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 5 Mb)
• 2021-2022 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 6 Mb)
• 2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 3 Mb)
• 2019 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 3 Mb)
• 2018 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 2 Mb)
• 2017 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 3 Mb)
• 2016 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) (PDF, 1 Mb)

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

Bradford currently has 4 AQMAs. These are located close to the city centre at Manningham Lane, Thornton Road, Mayo Avenue / Manchester Road and Shipley Airedale Road. The AQMAs were declared in 2006 due to exceedance of the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air quality objectives. Since 2006 air quality in the AQMAs has considerably improved. The recently established Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is expected to deliver compliance within all the AQMAs. The AQMA orders and maps can be viewed below. For more information on current air quality in these areas and the wider city view the most recent Annual Status Report (ASR).

• AQMA No.1 Order (PDF, 180 Kb)
• AQMA No.2 Order (PDF, 188 Kb)
• AQMA No.3 Order (PDF, 150 Kb)
• AQMA No.4 Order (PDF, 143 Kb)

Air Quality Action Planning in Bradford

After declaration of the AQMAs Bradford prepared an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

• Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) (PDF)

This was supplemented by a Low Emission Strategy in 2013

• Bradford Low Emission Strategy 2013 (PDF, 1019 Kb)

Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ)

In 2018, City of Bradford MDC was mandated by Ministerial Direction to carry out a study to identify further interventions to bring forward Bradford’s compliance with the EU limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).  Following completion of the study in 2020 the Government mandated Bradford to implement a Class C Charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ).  The Clean Air Zone was implemented on 26 September 2022.  Further information on the location of the CAZ, entry requirements and available grants and exemptions is available on the Breathe Better Bradford webpages.