What steps are being taken to assess air quality at the Penmaen Bach section of national cycling route 5?
Air quality is not routinely monitored along National Cycling Route 5 (NCR5). However Conwy County Borough Council monitors nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at a number of sites along the A55, which run adjacent to NCR5 at Penmaen Bach, and Llanfairfechan to Abergwyngregyn, in the context of their Local Air Quality Management duties, under the Environment Act 1995, to review and assess air quality within their area.
NO2 diffusion tube monitoring at the sites nearest to these sections of the cycling route shows that highest annual average NO2 concentrations are around 18 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter). This is below the legal limit of 40 µg/m3. If levels of NO2 were likely to exceed the legal limit, the Local Authority is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area and take action to reduce levels of NO2.
More information about Conwy Council’s air quality monitoring and assessment can be found in their 2020 Air Quality progress report here: 2020 North Wales Progress Report_Final Issued (conwy.gov.uk).