Trent Bridge and Stragglethorpe welcomes significant air quality improvements
Last updated: 11/6/2025
Rushcliffe’s only remaining Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) at Trent Bridge and the A52 at Stragglethorpe have now been revoked after considerable improvement in air quality in the last five years.
The concentration of nitrogen dioxide levels in the locations having continuously been below national air quality thresholds since 2020.
The improvements have been linked with measures to reduce traffic congestion and the associated emissions, changes in vehicle technology and lifestyle changes in the wider population in more recent years.
The Council approved the adoption of the two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in 2005 and 2011 and has since been actively carrying out air quality monitoring using specialised equipment, which is now removed following the reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels.
As part of its air quality management duties RBC will still continue to undertake monitoring across the Borough and report the results to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs annually.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis said: “We’ve now removed this specialist equipment for recording air quality which is an excellent result as it means pollution levels have significantly reduced.
“It is great news that the Borough’s air quality is continuing to improve near some of our busiest local highways.
“It’s down in part to strong partnerships with other agencies that are driving improvements to local air quality.
“It builds on previous excellent work by the Council elsewhere in the borough which has seen other AQMAs revoked such as at A52 Nottingham Knight Island and at Barnstone and Langar.
“Monitoring road traffic emission does not stop here though and we will continue to review levels at all relevant locations.”