DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

to 23 μg/m 3 in 2011 55 . It is assumed that PM 10 concentrations in Runnymede have followed
the national trends and will continue falling should existing level of development be
maintained.
9.27 The annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations across the UK averaged for all background
urban and traffic urban sites (both including long‐running sites) in the AURN (Automatic
Urban and Rural Network – national monitoring network) showed a decrease over time,
however the average for traffic urban long‐running sites showed a slight increase in recent
years 56 . Long‐running nitrogen dioxide diffusion sites in Runnymede reflect the above trend –
with roadside locations showing slight increases between the years 2006‐2010. It is forecast
that roadside concentrations will reduce over time, following higher availability and uptake of
clean vehicle and fuel technologies, however this may not happen as fast as predicted by
national modelling.
9.28 Regarding the AQMA in Addlestone, dispersion modelling was carried out for Addlestone
town centre using ADMS Roads and the NO 2 / PM 10 concentrations were modelled for the
future year of 2015. The predicted concentrations for 2015 showed exceedences at the
junction of the main roads in the town centre, however the reduction required for
compliance with the objectives was predicted to be relatively low (below 5%). Future
monitoring in the area in the following years will be used to verify the predicted
concentrations and used to make a decision with regard to future extent of the AQMA.
9.29 It can be argued that the current levels of congestion in the borough are unlikely to decrease.
This can be for a number of reasons including increased car dependency, delivery traffic and
lack of transport infrastructure, which in turn will adversely affect air quality.
9.30 Opportunities for improvement in relation to air quality can be through enhanced traffic
management systems. Air quality can be improved through public transport provision in
relation to reliability, accessibility, cost, affordability, information, and frequency of service.
Further opportunities to improve air quality could additionally be found in encouraging
community transport initiatives as well as travel schemes to increase the use of local services
and reduce unnecessary travel. It may also be suggested that development that cannot
mitigate air quality issues, even if this conflicts with the objectives of the Sustainable
Community Strategy, be avoided.
Potential impact pathways
9.31 Air quality is affected by several potential pathways.
AQ1 Emissions to air associated with changes in the total volume and distribution of traffic on
Runnymede’s roads.
9.32 High levels of car ownership within Runnymede at approximately 1.5 cars per household and
traffic travelling into and through the borough contribute to adverse air quality. Increased
residential development within Runnymede can be expected to further add to traffic
volumes.
9.33 New commercial development – shops and services – can be expected to generate additional
trips to and from the development through attracting customers and visitors from
neighbouring areas. Additional emissions can also be generated from delivery trips to new
businesses.
9.34 Another factor to be considered is the regeneration of town centres which will create new
jobs in the borough, which in turn will contribute to increased traffic.
AQ2 Emissions to air associated with the construction and/or maintenance of transport, residential
and commercial assets / networks and other infrastructure in Runnymede.
9.35 Runnymede contains approximately 32,700 households (2011 Census) as well as commercial
development. Runnymede also contains an extensive variety of infrastructure from built
55 DEFRA (2012): Air Quality Statistics In The UK, 1987 To 2011 ‐ Provisional
56 DEFRA (2011) Air Pollution in the UK 2010
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