Carmarthenshire residents invited to give views on air quality

Members of the public are being invited to share their views on the air quality in certain parts of Llanelli and Carmarthen.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Environmental Health and Licensing team have launched a consultation to gather feedback from people on a proposed Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
The Environment Act 1995 places a duty on local authorities to monitor, review, and assess air quality across its area, and to take steps to improve air quality in places where people live.
For over 20 years the council has monitored nitrogen dioxide, a traffic-related pollutant, across the county.
During 2012-14 the levels of nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded the National Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in certain areas around both towns.
Although this will not cause immediate short term health impacts, the authority has a legal duty to try and improve air quality where breaches are identified.
The proposed Air Quality Management Area will identify the extent of the poor air quality area, the potential number of people that may be affected, and assess what steps can be taken to improve the air quality.
As part of the consultation, members of the public will also be able to give their views on the proposed boundary of the AQMA.
The map can be viewed on the council’s website www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales – visit the consultation section – and at Llanelli Town Hall and the Customer Contact Centre at 3 Spilman Street, Carmarthen.
The consultation ends on November 30.