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<p>Air pollution is reducing in the UK, as set out in the annual National Statistics
report:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics</a></p><p>
</p><p>There are 169 national automatic monitoring stations in the UK, of which 2
stations are in Medway. Chatham Roadside measures hourly concentrations of nitrogen
dioxide and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5); Rochester Stoke measures concentrations
of ozone and sulphur dioxide in addition to these pollutants. Near real-time measurements
from these sites and further data tools can be found on the UK-AIR website (<a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/"
target="_blank">https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/</a>).</p><p> </p><p>There are no national
automatic monitoring stations in Tonbridge and Malling or Maidstone.</p><p> </p><p>All
local authorities also carry out their own air quality monitoring activities and produce
annual status reports on air quality within the local authority boundaries.</p><p>Each
of the local authorities has air quality management areas which can be found online
at <a href="https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/aqma/maps" target="_blank">https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/aqma/maps</a></p><p>
</p><p>Councils have statutory duties to tackle air pollution and already have considerable
powers.</p><p> </p><p>Defra’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local
authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions.
The scheme has awarded over £60 million in funding to a variety of projects since
it started in 1997 and over £3 million will be awarded this year.</p><p> </p><p>We
will bring forward provisions on air quality in 2019 in the forthcoming Environment
Bill.</p>
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