Thanet District Council 2025 Annual Status Report June 2025

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2025 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR)

In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management, as amended by the Environment Act 2021

Date: June, 2025

Local Responsibilities and Commitment

This ASR was prepared by Bureau Veritas on behalf of Thanet District Council with the support and agreement of the following officers and departments:

Amanda Berry – Senior Environmental Health Practitioner

This ASR has been approved by: Mike Humber Director of Environment

This ASR has been signed off by a Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh

If you have any comments on this ASR please send them to Amanda Berry at:

Cecil Street Margate,

CT9 1XZ

01843 577 422

Amanda.berry@thanet.gov.uk

Executive Summary: Air Quality in Our Area

Air Quality in Thanet District Council

Breathing in polluted air affects our health and costs the NHS and our society billions of pounds each year. Air pollution is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer and can cause a range of health impacts, including effects on lung function, exacerbation of asthma, increases in hospital admissions and mortality. In the UK, it is estimated that the reduction in healthy life expectancy caused by air pollution is equivalent to 29,000 to 43,000 deaths a year^[1].

Air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society, children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung conditions. Low-income communities are also disproportionately impacted by poor air quality, exacerbating health and social inequalities. 

Table ES 1 provides a brief explanation of the key pollutants relevant to Local Air Quality Management and the kind of activities they might arise from.

Table ES 1 - Description of Key Pollutants

Annual mean NO2 concentrations at all but six monitoring sites across Thanet District Council have shown a decrease in 2024 compared to 2023. All monitoring locations continued to record annual mean NO2 concentrations below the annual mean NO2 air quality objective in 2024. This continues a trend of six years of compliance with the annual mean NO2 air quality objective across Thanet District Council. In September 2024 Thanet District council revoked Ramsgate AQMA, which was initially declared in June 2023 in place of the wider Thanet Urban AQMA following modelled exceedances of the annual mean NO2 air quality objective. With additional monitoring showing NO2 well below the annual mean NO2 air quality objective, an Air Quality Strategy has now been drafted and due to be published this autumn.

With regard to the 1-hour mean NO2 AQS objective, whereby there should be no more than 18 hours where concentrations exceed 200µg/m3, both automatic monitoring locations continue to report no hourly concentrations greater than 200µg/m3.

For PM10, the reported annual mean concentration continues to be below the annual mean PM10 AQS objective of 40µg/m3 at both automatic monitoring stations (ZH4 at Boundary Road, Ramsgate and ZH5 at The Square, Birchington). Concentrations of PM10 have shown a decreasing trend at ZH5 Birchington from 2020-2023 with a very slight increase in observed annual mean concentration in 2024. Concentrations of PM10 at ZH4 Ramsgate have fluctuated in the past five years with concentrations in 2024 now lower than levels in 2023. With regards to the 24-hour mean PM10 AQS objective, whereby there should be no more than 35 24-hour periods where concentrations exceed 50µg/m3, the maximum number of 24-hour period means greater than 50µg/m3 was four and zero, reported at ZH4 at Boundary Road and ZH5 at The Square, respectively.

In 2025 Thanet District Council updated its Air Quality Technical Planning guidance^[2]. This was produced in conjunction with Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership and sets out the approach for considering air quality that should be adopted from pre-application stage through to submitting details as part of the planning application.

Actions to Improve Air Quality

Whilst air quality has improved significantly in recent decades, there are some areas where local action is needed to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution.

The Environmental Improvement Plan^[3] sets out actions that will drive continued improvements to air quality and to meet the new national interim and long-term targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the pollutant of most harmful to human health. The Air Quality Strategy^[4] provides more information on local authorities' responsibilities to work towards these new targets and reduce fine particulate matter in their areas.

The Road to Zero^[5] details the Government’s approach to reduce exhaust emissions from road transport through a number of mechanisms, in balance with the needs of the local community. This is extremely important given that cars are the most popular mode of personal travel, and the majority of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are designated due to elevated concentrations heavily influenced by transport emissions.

Thanet District Council has successfully progressed and implemented the following measures:

• Assisting Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership (KMAQP) funding the development of a resource for Air Pollution Training for healthcare professionals;
• Pollution Patrol school resource to educate children on air pollution and the impact on health;
• The Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emission Strategy has been adopted and a travel plan monitoring officer appointed at Kent County Council;
• Formal adoption of TDC Net Zero Action Plan 2024 and Strategy.
• Completion of Thanet Air Quality Technical Planning Guidance for inclusion with the new AQAP;
• Parking strategy to promote active and sustainable transport, to prioritise measures that deliver clean air (December 2024);
• Implementation of the Clean Air Schools campaign.
• Adoption of Anti Idling Powers (Jun 2024) to enable effective campaigning and enforcement in area of poor air quality;
• Progressing the Taxi Licensing Policy, which is currently being updated. This will include incentives for ULEV and age restrictions of the existing fleet. For new licences, taxis must be Euro 6 vehicles, i.e. <7 years;
• Progressing the social media campaign on air quality.

The Electric Vehicle Guidance for Developers^[6], in accordance with the local plan policy, building regulations and Thanet’s Air Quality and Planning Technical Guidance, sets the requirements for EV charging points to be installed in new residential and commercial developments. Given the rapid pace of technological advancements in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, developers must stay up-to-date on the latest available information and consult with the relevant Local Planning Authority. Beyond just providing this basic EV infrastructure, developers will also be expected to incorporate additional low-emission measures. This may include facilitating active travel options, such as pedestrian and cycling facilities, as well as supporting sustainable public transportation.

Thanet District Council continues to uphold and work alongside the existing partnership with Kent County Council to engage in a joint approach to tackle air quality issues and the implementation of the Thanet Transport Strategy^[7], and as part of the Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership.

Conclusions and Priorities

Road transport is the dominant source of pollution within Thanet and reducing road traffic emissions across Thanet therefore continues to remain the key air quality priority.  This will also contribute to reducing PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations across the district.

Considering no exceedances of the annual mean NO2 AQS objective in 2018, Thanet District Council revoked the Thanet Urban AQMA as recommended by Defra in the 2021 appraisal letter. The concentrations continued to be below the annual mean NO2 AQS objective since 2018 and there is a decreasing trend in the concentrations.

Following a detailed assessment, the Ramsgate AQMA was declared on 25th June 2023. This AQMA was declared in place of the revoked Thanet Urban AQMA as a precautionary action. However, considering there are no exceedances of the annual mean NO2 AQS objective for the last 6 years within the Ramsgate AQMA, Thanet has revoked the Ramsgate AQMA. A Thanet wide Air Quality Strategy 2025 is currently being developed.

How to get Involved

As the main source of air pollution within Thanet are road transport emissions, a way for the public to get involved with helping improve air quality in the District is to find alternatives to travelling by private vehicle. The following are suggested alternatives to private travel that would contribute to improving air quality within the District:

• Use public transport where available – this reduces the number of private vehicles in operation, which will in turn reduce congestion, both of which will help to reduce pollutant concentrations;
• Walk or cycle if your journey allows – choosing to walk or cycle for your journey will reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, and there is the added benefit of keeping fit and healthy. In addition, many of the cycle routes and footpaths are off-road, meaning you will not be exposed to the higher concentrations that occur close to roads;
• Car/lift sharing – Where a number of individuals are making similar journeys, such as travelling to work or to school, car sharing reduces the number of vehicles on the road and therefore reduces congestion and overall emissions. Car sharing can be promoted via travel plans through the workplace and within schools, and,
• Use alternatively fuelled / more efficient vehicles – Fully electric, hybrid and more fuel-efficient cars are available and have different levels of benefits by reducing emissions. Locations of publicly available electric vehicle charging points in Thanet and nearby can be found on the zap-map app.

Thanet District Council are part of Kent Air which provides a website of educational material with the aim of educating the local population on air pollution and displaying the current air pollutions in Kent, called Care for KentAir^[8].

Table of Contents

Local Responsibilities and Commitment        i

Executive Summary: Air Quality in Our Area        ii

Air Quality in Thanet District Council        ii

Actions to Improve Air Quality        iv

Conclusions and Priorities        v

How to get Involved        vi

1        Local Air Quality Management        1

2        Actions to Improve Air Quality        2

2.1        Air Quality Management Areas        2

2.2        Progress and Impact of Measures to address Air Quality in Thanet District Council        4

2.3        PM2.5 – Local Authority Approach to Reducing Emissions and/or Concentrations        12

3        Air Quality Monitoring Data and Comparison with Air Quality Objectives and National Compliance        14

3.1        Summary of Monitoring Undertaken        14

3.1.1        Automatic Monitoring Sites        14

3.1.2        Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites        14

3.2        Individual Pollutants        14

3.2.1        Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)        15

3.2.2        Particulate Matter (PM10)        16

3.2.3        Particulate Matter (PM2.5)        16

Appendix A: Monitoring Results        18

Appendix B: Full Monthly Diffusion Tube Results for 2024        37

Appendix C: Supporting Technical Information / Air Quality Monitoring Data QA/QC        40

New or Changed Sources Identified Within Thanet District Council During 2024        40

Additional Air Quality Works Undertaken by Thanet District Council During 2025        41

QA/QC of Diffusion Tube Monitoring        41

Diffusion Tube Annualisation        43

Diffusion Tube Bias Adjustment Factors        43

NO2 Fall-off with Distance from the Road        44

QA/QC of Automatic Monitoring        45

PM10 and PM2.5 Monitoring Adjustment        45

Automatic Monitoring Annualisation        45

NO2 Fall-off with Distance from the Road        45

Appendix D: Map(s) of Monitoring Locations and AQMAs        46

Appendix E: Summary of Air Quality Objectives in England        55

Glossary of Terms        56

References        57

Figures

Figure A.1 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations within the Ramsgate AQMA        28

Figure A.2 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the North of the District        29

Figure A.3 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the centre of the District        30

Figure A.4 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the South of the District        31

Figure A.5 – Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations        34

Figure A.6 – Trends in Number of 24-Hour Mean PM10 Results > 50µg/m3        36

Figure C.1 – Bias Adjustment Factor Database        42

Figure D.1 – Detailed Map of Ramsgate AQMA        46

Figure D.2 – Map of Automatic Monitoring Sites        47

Figure D.3 – Map of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites        48

Figure D.4 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Birchington        49

Figure D.5 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Minster        50

Figure D.6 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Cliffsend, Ramsgate        51

Figure D.7 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Westwood        52

Figure D.8 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Margate and Westgate-on-Sea        53

Figure D.9 – Map of Monitoring Locations in Ramsgate AQMA        54

Tables

Table 2.1 – Declared Air Quality Management Areas        3

Table 2.2 – Progress on Measures to Improve Air Quality        8

Table A.1 – Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites        18

Table A.2 – Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites        19

Table A.3 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results: Automatic Monitoring (µg/m3)        23

Table A.4 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results: Non-Automatic Monitoring (µg/m3)        24

Table A.5 – 1-Hour Mean NO2 Monitoring Results, Number of 1-Hour Means > 200µg/m3        32

Table A.6 – Annual Mean PM10 Monitoring Results (µg/m3)        33

Table A.7 – 24-Hour Mean PM10 Monitoring Results, Number of PM10 24-Hour Means > 50µg/m3        35

Table B.1 – NO2 2024 Diffusion Tube Results (µg/m3)        37

Table C.1  – Planning Applications with Air Quality Conditions in 2024        40

Table C.2  – Annualisation Summary (concentrations presented in µg/m3)        43

Table C.3 – Bias Adjustment Factor        44

Table C.4 – Local Bias Adjustment Calculation        44

Table E.1 – Air Quality Objectives in England        55

Local Air Quality Management

This report provides an overview of air quality in Thanet District Council during 2024. It fulfils the requirements of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) as set out in Part IV of the Environment Act (1995), as amended by the Environment Act (2021), and the relevant Policy and Technical Guidance documents.

The LAQM process places an obligation on all local authorities to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas, and to determine whether or not the air quality objectives are likely to be achieved. Where an exceedance is considered likely the local authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the measures it intends to put in place in order to achieve and maintain the objectives and the dates by which each measure will be carried out. This Annual Status Report (ASR) is an annual requirement showing the strategies employed by Thanet District Council to improve air quality and any progress that has been made.

The statutory air quality objectives applicable to LAQM in England are presented in Table E.1.

Actions to Improve Air Quality

Air Quality Management Areas

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are declared when there is an exceedance or likely exceedance of an air quality objective. After declaration, the authority should prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) within 18 months. The AQAP should specify how air quality targets will be achieved and maintained, and provide dates by which measures will be carried out.

A summary of AQMAs declared by Thanet District Council can be found in Table 2.1. Ramsgate AQMA was revoked in September 2024 after 6 years of consecutive compliance with the annual mean NO2 air quality objective, however, details are still shown in Table 2.1 due to the relevance of the AQMA to monitoring in 2024. Appendix D: Map(s) of Monitoring Locations and now revoked AQMAs provides maps of AQMA and also the air quality monitoring locations in relation to the AQMA. The air quality objectives pertinent to the current AQMA designation is the NO2 annual mean.

Ramsgate AQMA has now been revoked (see monitoring section) and a Thanet wide Air Quality Strategy 2025 has now been drafted to prevent and reduce polluting activities.

Table 2.1 – Declared Air Quality Management Areas

Ramsgate AQMA was revoked in September 2024 after 6 years of consecutive compliance with the annual mean NO2 air quality objective. An Air Quality Strategy 2025 for Thanet District council is currently being drafted.

☒ Thanet District Council confirm the information on UK-Air regarding their AQMA(s) is up to date

☒ Thanet District Council confirm that all current AQAPs have been submitted to Defra.

* Except for one diffusion tube monitoring site recorded annual mean NO2 concentration within 10% below the annual mean NO2 concentration in 2019, all monitoring site recorded concentrations within the Ramsgate AQMA achieved compliance with the AQS.

Progress and Impact of Measures to address Air Quality in Thanet District Council

Defra’s appraisal of last year’s ASR concluded:

1. TDC has included and addressed the previous year’s appraisal report comments, which is commended.

This will be continued in this year’s ASR.

2. There are a few formatting issues in the report, including Table 2.2 which is cut off as it doesn’t fit on the page. This should be amended before resubmission for completeness.

All formatting issues have been amended in Thanet District Council’s 2025 ASR.

3. The Council has included the DTDES spreadsheet which is commended.

This will be continued in the 2025 ASR.

4. QA/QC procedures of diffusion tube monitoring is robust and detailed. This is commended and the Council should continue this for future reports.

The 2025 ASR continues to present robust and detailed QA/QC procedures of diffusion tube monitoring.

5. Table 2.1 in the ASR table excel spreadsheet hasn’t been filled in with the Ramsgate AQMA details, so it doesn’t not match that in the ASR report. This needs to be amended before resubmission.

The ASR Excel Spreadsheets submitted in previous years is no longer a requirement with the submission of the 2025 ASR.

6. In section 2.3 of the report, the locally derived PMcoarse values for Birchington and Ramsgate have been mixed up. TDC should check this and amend if applicable.  

PMcoarse values will correspond to the correct automatic monitoring station for the 2025 ASR.

7. All graphs are well-presented, and colours schemes allow for both monitoring sites and years to be easily distinguished, and maps illustrating the AQMA and monitoring sites.

This will be continued in this year’s ASR.

8. Table B.1 is missing the bias adjustment factor from the column heading ‘Annual Mean: Annualised and Bias Adjusted <(x.x)>’. This should be amended before resubmission.

The 2025 ASR includes the bias adjustment factor in the relevant column heading .

9. Although not sign off is not a requirement, Defra recommends that Directors of Public Health approve draft ASRs. This is recommended for the next annual reporting process too.

The Council will aim to provide this approval in the 2025 ASR.

10. The Public Health Outcomes Framework and human health indicator D01 have been included in the 2024 ASR. This is welcome and TDC should continue to do this in future ASRs.

The Public Health Outcomes Framework and human health indicator D01 have been included in the 2025 ASR.

Thanet District Council has taken forward a number of direct measures during the current reporting year of 2025 in pursuit of improving local air quality. Details of all measures completed, in progress or planned are set out in Table 2.2. 20 measures are included within Table 2.2, with the type of measure and the progress Thanet District Council have made during the reporting year of 2024 presented. Where there have been, or continue to be, barriers restricting the implementation of the measure, these are also presented within Table 2.2.

More detail on these measures can be found in their respective Action Plans (in progress and will be transformed to Air Quality Strategy). Key completed measures are:

• Assisting Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership (KMAQP) funding the development of a resource for Air Pollution Training for healthcare professionals;
• Pollution Patrol school resource to educate children on air pollution and the impact on health;
• The Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emission Strategy has been adopted and a travel plan monitoring officer appointed at Kent County Council;
• Formal adoption of TDC Net Zero Action Plan 2024 and Strategy.
• Completion of Thanet Air Quality Technical Planning Guidance for inclusion with the new AQS;
• Parking strategy to promote active and sustainable transport, to prioritise measures that deliver clean air (December 2024);
• Implementation of the Clean Air Schools campaign.
• Adoption of Anti Idling Powers (Jun 2024) to enable effective campaigning and enforcement in area of poor air quality;
• Progressing the Taxi Licensing Policy, which is currently being updated. This will include incentives for ULEV and age restrictions of the existing fleet. For new licences, taxis must be Euro 6 vehicles, i.e. <7 years;
• Progressing the social media campaign on air quality.

Thanet District council expects the following measures to be completed over the course of the next reporting year:

• Continue to engage with land-use and transport planners to ensure the actions adhere to the Local Plan, and are supported by all parts of the authority;
• Continue to raise awareness of air quality issues within the District;
• Continue to work with Kent County Council to undertake identified feasibility studies of measures to tackle air pollution, to determine more robustly the effectiveness and cost of options;
• Encourage the public to use sustainable transportation, including public transport, car sharing, cycling, and walking;
• Continue the partnership with Kent County Council to engage in a joint approach to tackle air quality issues and the implementation of the Thanet Transport Strategy; 
• To progress KMAQP proposal for Air Pollution Training for healthcare professionals - to raise awareness and increase the confidence and skills of health care professionals to address air pollution in their day-to-day practice;
• Continue to work with Sustrans to support development plans to connect rural areas;
• Continue the anti-idling powers to enable effective campaigning and enforcement in areas of poor air quality;

Thanet District Council’s priorities for the coming year are to produce a Thanet wide AQ strategy to ensure better air quality for public health. Thanet’s 2025 AQS is in the final draft stages and is looking to be published this autumn.

Thanet District Council worked to implement these measures in partnership with the following stakeholders during 2024:

• Kent County Council
• Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership

Table 2.2 – Progress on Measures to Improve Air Quality

PM2.5 – Local Authority Approach to Reducing Emissions and/or Concentrations

As detailed in Policy Guidance LAQM.PG22 (Chapter 8) and the Air Quality Strategy^[9], local authorities are expected to work towards reducing emissions and/or concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)). There is clear evidence that PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller 2.5 micrometres) has a significant impact on human health, including premature mortality, allergic reactions, and cardiovascular diseases.

No monitoring of PM2.5 is currently conducted within Thanet, however the two automatic monitoring sites located at Ramsgate and Birchington monitor PM10 concentrations. As per LAQM.TG(22) guidance, PM2.5 concentrations can be estimated from monitored PM10 concentrations. It is possible to estimate PM2.5 concentrations by using a local or national factor. In this case the most conservative approach was used and so the national factor was selected to estimate PM2.5 values at both Ramsgate ad Birchington automatic monitoring stations.  

The 2024 national PMcoarse value for roadside sites as found on the LAQM website^[10], is 6.0. Applied to the 2024 PM10 annual mean concentrations of 23.8µg/m3 and 18.8µg/m3 at Ramsgate and Birchington respectively, this gives an estimated PM2.5 annual mean of 17.8µg/m3 and 12.8µg/m3 respectively. The estimated annual mean concentration at both monitoring stations is below the indicative stage II annual mean limit value for PM2.5 (20µg/m3).

The Department of Health’s Public Health Outcomes Framework^[11] has a number of public health indicators that are used for public health actions, to identify areas of health inequality and concern, and monitor the differences in health impacts across regions in the UK. This framework includes an indicator “D01- Fraction of Mortality Attributable to Particulate Air Pollution” which is calculated using background annual average PM2.5 concentrations, modelled at a 1km2 resolution based on measured concentrations from the AURN. Thanet has a 4.9% fraction of mortality calculated for 2023, which is lower than the average for England overall (5.2%), and lower than the South East Region (5.1%). The 2023 data is presented as the 2024 dataset has not been made available at the time of writing.

Many of the measures employed by Thanet District Council aim to reduce vehicular travel frequency and time, such as the encouragement of active travel. NOx and PM2.5 emissions arise from vehicular sources, and therefore although the measures pursued by Thanet District Council focus on reducing NO2 concentrations many of these will also likely have a positive impact on reducing PM2.5 concentrations.

Thanet District Council has been working with members of KMAQP and KCC on the production of a Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy. The implementation plan 2020-2023 was adopted in October 2020 and updated in May 2021.

The planning regime is also important for reducing PM2.5 concentrations. With the formal adoption of the Thanet Local Plan in 2020, the updated Air Quality Policy SE05 focuses on ensuring that all future developments produce an Air Quality and/or Emissions Mitigation Assessment to prevent the users and local area are not adversely impacted by air quality. This also promotes developments to encourage the use of sustainable and low emissions transport. The Thanet Transport Strategy is also included within the Local Plan and sets out improvements which will also benefit the reduction of PM2.5 concentrations.

Thanet District Council does not have any smoke control areas; however it does provide guidance on “Smoke and Bonfires”^[12] in order to reduce air pollution arising from these. This includes guidelines for burning waste as part of a bonfire, the use of wood burners and stoves, information on the ban on the sale of wet wood and coal but also sets out how to make a nuisance complaint if required.

Air Quality Monitoring Data and Comparison with Air Quality Objectives and National Compliance

This section sets out the monitoring undertaken within 2024 by Thanet District Council and how it compares with the relevant air quality objectives. In addition, monitoring results are presented for a five-year period between 2020 and 2024 to allow monitoring trends to be identified and discussed.

Summary of Monitoring Undertaken

Automatic Monitoring Sites

Thanet District Council undertook automatic (continuous) monitoring at two sites during 2024. Table A.1 in Appendix A shows the details of the automatic monitoring sites. The Kent Air Data page presents automatic monitoring results for Thanet District Council, with automatic monitoring results also available through the UK-Air website .

Maps showing the location of the monitoring sites are provided in Appendix D. Further details on how the monitors are calibrated and how the data has been adjusted are included in Appendix C.

Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Thanet District Council undertook non- automatic (i.e. passive) monitoring of NO2 at 43 sites, including three triplicate sites bringing the total to 49 sites, during 2024. Table A.2 in Appendix A presents the details of the non-automatic sites.

Maps showing the location of the monitoring sites are provided in Appendix D Further details on Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) for the diffusion tubes, including bias adjustments and any other adjustments applied (e.g. annualisation and/or distance correction), are included in Appendix C.

Individual Pollutants

The air quality monitoring results presented in this section are, where relevant, adjusted for bias, annualisation (where the annual mean data capture is below 75% and greater than 25%), and distance correction. Further details on adjustments are provided in Appendix C.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Table A.3 and Table A.4 in Appendix A compare the ratified and adjusted monitored NO2 annual mean concentrations for the past five years with the air quality objective of 40µg/m3. Note that the concentration data presented represents the concentration at the location of the monitoring site, following the application of bias adjustment and annualisation, as required (i.e. the values are exclusive of any consideration to fall-off with distance adjustment).

In 2024, monitored NO2 concentrations across Thanet District Council decreased at all but six existing monitoring locations compared to 2023. The six diffusion tube locations where annual NO2 concentrations increased were at TH16, TH26, TH31, TH89, TH95 and TH98. A general continuous decreasing trend is seen in annual mean NO2 concentrations overall since 2019, if 2020 and 2021 are discounted due to COVID-19. All monitoring locations recorded annual mean NO2 concentrations below the annual mean NO2 air quality objective in 2024. The highest monitored NO2 concentration in 2024 is 27.9µg/m3 at triplicate site TH70, TH71, TH72.The average reduction of NO2 concentration from 2023 to 2024 is 1.2µg/m3.

For diffusion tubes, the full 2024 dataset of monthly mean values is provided in Appendix B. Note that the concentration data presented in Table B.1 includes distance corrected values, only where relevant.

Table A.5 in Appendix A compares the ratified continuous monitored NO2 hourly mean concentrations for the past five years with the air quality objective of 200µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year.

During 2024 there were no exceedances of the NO2 hourly objective of 200μg/m3, with the maximum hourly concentration recorded at the two automatic monitoring stations being 122.3μg/m3 (ZH5 Birchington Road) and 76.1μg/m3 (ZH4 Ramsgate). In addition, no single diffusion tube recorded an annual mean concentration greater than 60μg/m3, indicating that it is unlikely that the 1-hour objective was exceeded at any diffusion tube monitoring site in 2024.

In summary, relative to the previous reporting year, the NO2 annual mean concentrations have decreased at all but six existing diffusion tube sites and all reported concentrations were below the NO2 annual mean AQS objective (40μg/m3) in 2024. The NO2 annual mean concentration recorded at the two automatic monitoring sites were lower than concentrations recorded in 2023 and well below the AQS objective. Annual NO2 concentrations of 14.5μg/m3 (ZH4 Ramsgate) and 21.7μg/m3 (ZH5 Birchington) were recorded in 2024. Therefore, both the annual mean and hourly objective of NO2 was not breached during 2024.

Particulate Matter (PM10)

Monitored PM10 concentrations were well below the annual mean PM10 air quality objective 40µg/m3 at both automatic monitoring locations in 2024. Concentrations of PM10 have shown a decreasing trend at ZH5 Birchington from 2020-2023 with a very slight increase in observed annual mean concentration in 2024. Concentrations of PM10 at ZH4 Ramsgate have fluctuated in the past five years with concentrations in 2024 lower than levels in 2023. This is likely in part due to the major development occurring in Boundary Rd gas work site remediation for development to a new large retail unit and residential site. Overall, concentrations of PM10 are well below the annual mean PM10 air quality objective of 40µg/m3.

Table A.6 in Appendix A: Monitoring Results compares the ratified and adjusted monitored PM10 annual mean concentrations for the past five years with the air quality objective of 40µg/m3.

Table A.7 in Appendix A compares the ratified continuous monitored PM10 daily mean concentrations for the past five years with the air quality objective of 50µg/m3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times per year.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Thanet Council does not currently undertake monitoring of PM2.5, however the two automatic monitoring sites located at Ramsgate and Birchington monitor PM10 concentrations. As per LAQM.TG(22) guidance, PM2.5 concentrations can be estimated from monitored PM10 concentrations. It is possible to estimate PM2.5 concentrations by using a local or national factor. In this case the most conservative approach was used and so the national factor was selected to estimate PM2.5 values at both Ramsgate and Birchington automatic monitoring station.  

The methodology detailed within Box 7.7 of LAQM.TG(22) has been followed to calculate a national derived PMcoarse value of 6.0. Applied to the 2024 PM10 annual mean concentrations of 23.8µg/m3 and 18.8µg/m3 at Ramsgate and Birchington respectively, this gives an estimated PM2.5 annual mean of 17.8µg/m3 and 12.8µg/m3 respectively. The estimated annual mean concentration at both monitoring stations is below to the indicative stage II annual mean limit value for PM2.5 (20µg/m3).

Appendix A: Monitoring Results

Table A.1 – Details of Automatic Monitoring Sites

Notes:

(1) N/A if not applicable

(2) 0m if the monitoring site is at a location of exposure (e.g. installed on the façade of a residential property).

Table A.2 – Details of Non-Automatic Monitoring Sites

Notes:

(1) 0m if the monitoring site is at a location of exposure (e.g. installed on the façade of a residential property).

(2) N/A if not applicable.

*Ramsgate AQMA was revoked in September 2024.

Table A.3 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results: Automatic Monitoring (µg/m3)

☒ Annualisation has been conducted where data capture is <75% and >25% in line with LAQM.TG22

☒ Reported concentrations are those at the location of the monitoring site (annualised, as required), i.e. prior to any fall-off with distance correction

☒ Where exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective occur at locations not representative of relevant exposure, the fall-off with distance concentration has been calculated and reported concentration provided in brackets for 2024

Notes:

The annual mean concentrations are presented as µg/m3.

Exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.

All means have been “annualised” as per LAQM.TG22 if valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.

Concentrations are those at the location of monitoring and not those following any fall-off with distance adjustment.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

Table A.4 – Annual Mean NO2 Monitoring Results: Non-Automatic Monitoring (µg/m3)

☒ Annualisation has been conducted where data capture is <75% and >25% in line with LAQM.TG22

☒ Diffusion tube data has been bias adjusted

☒ Reported concentrations are those at the location of the monitoring site (bias adjusted and annualised, as required), i.e. prior to any fall-off with distance correction

Notes:

The annual mean concentrations are presented as µg/m3.

Exceedances of the NO2 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.

NO2 annual means exceeding 60µg/m3, indicating a potential exceedance of the NO2 1-hour mean objective are shown in bold and underlined.

Means for diffusion tubes have been corrected for bias. All means have been “annualised” as per LAQM.TG22 if valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.

Concentrations are those at the location of monitoring and not those following any fall-off with distance adjustment.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

Figure A.1 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations within the Ramsgate AQMA

Figure A.2 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the North of the District

Figure A.3 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the centre of the District

Figure A.4 – Trends in Annual Mean NO2 Concentrations outside the AQMA in the South of the District

Table A.5 – 1-Hour Mean NO2 Monitoring Results, Number of 1-Hour Means > 200µg/m3

Notes:

Results are presented as the number of 1-hour periods where concentrations greater than 200µg/m3 have been recorded.

Exceedances of the NO2 1-hour mean objective (200µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times/year) are shown in bold.

If the period of valid data is less than 85%, the 99.8th percentile of 1-hour means is provided in brackets.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

Table A.6 – Annual Mean PM10 Monitoring Results (µg/m3)

☒ Annualisation has been conducted where data capture is <75% and >25% in line with LAQM.TG22.

Notes:

The annual mean concentrations are presented as µg/m3.

Exceedances of the PM10 annual mean objective of 40µg/m3 are shown in bold.

All means have been “annualised” as per LAQM.TG22 if valid data capture for the full calendar year is less than 75%. See Appendix C for details.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

Figure A.5 – Trends in Annual Mean PM10 Concentrations

Table A.7 – 24-Hour Mean PM10 Monitoring Results, Number of PM10 24-Hour Means > 50µg/m3

Notes:

Results are presented as the number of 24-hour periods where daily mean concentrations greater than 50µg/m3 have been recorded.

Exceedances of the PM10 24-hour mean objective (50µg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times/year) are shown in bold.

If the period of valid data is less than 85%, the 90.4th percentile of 24-hour means is provided in brackets.

(1) Data capture for the monitoring period, in cases where monitoring was only carried out for part of the year.

(2) Data capture for the full calendar year (e.g. if monitoring was carried out for 6 months, the maximum data capture for the full calendar year is 50%).

Figure A.6 – Trends in Number of 24-Hour Mean PM10 Results > 50µg/m3

Appendix B: Full Monthly Diffusion Tube Results for 2024

Table B.1 – NO2 2024 Diffusion Tube Results (µg/m3)