Air quality impacts and Belfast air quality management areas

The presence of air pollution can lead to an adverse impact on human health. Air pollution is also known to adversely affect ecosystems such as water quality, soils, plants and animals. The RDS acknowledges that there is a need to reduce air pollution from transport by the use of more energy efficient transport. The planning system also positively contributes to improving air quality and minimising its harmful impacts. Belfast City Council has declared four air quality management areas where there is an exceedance of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. These are: the M1 / Westlink corridor; Cromac Street/Albertbridge Road; the Upper Newtownards Road; and the Ormeau Road.