House prices ‘may rise’ after fall in traffic pollution levels

‘Good news’ as air quality orders revoked

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

TWO air quality schemes in North Staffordshire have been revoked - thanks to people driving cleaner and greener vehicles.

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) were declared in Kidsgrove, aas well as May Bank, Wolstanton and Porthill, in 2015.

This was due to high levels of nitrogen dioxide caused by road traffic.

But Newcastle Borough Council has now revoked both AQMAs following a sustained fall in air pollution levels at both locations.

Members of the borough council's pubic protection committee were told that the reduction had come about due to older, more polluting vehicles being replaced with cleaner models over the past decade.

It could result in higher property prices in the areas, as it is believed they had a negative impact on the housing market.