Air quality
In this section
Horsham District’s Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)
An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is a geographical area surrounding a pollution hot spot. Over 230 have been declared across the UK, varying in size from single properties to entire boroughs. Every AQMA has its own Action Plan.
All AQMAs are required to have an Air Quality Action Plan that reviews all possible pollution reduction measures and assesses them in terms of pollution reduction, acceptability, cost effectiveness and feasibility. The AQAPs have been developed in partnership with West Sussex County Highways Department. They are reviewed every 12 months as part of the annual progress reporting schedule required by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Current AQMA in Horsham District: Storrington AQMA
An Air Quality Management Area has been in effect in Storrington since December 2010 in areas of the village that are likely to exceed the annual air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide.
The AQMA in Storrington incorporates West Street, the High Street and part of School Hill and Manleys Hill.
Storrington's Air Quality Action Plan
The measures recently taken forward for implementation to reduce traffic congestion and to aid air quality improvement in Storrington are:
- Weight restriction for lorries on B2139 Manleys Hill between the A283 Manleys Hill/High St mini-roundabout and Mill Lane car park entrance within the Storrington AQMA; and
- Restrictions for waiting, loading and unloading at any time on sections of North Street, The Square and West Street in Storrington.
- Storrington AQMA traffic scheme proposals review 2022 (PDF File, 1.6 MB)
- Storrington Air Quality Action Plan 2020 (PDF File, 521.4 KB)
Does Storrington have a Low Emission Zone?
No. A low emission zone trial was carried out in 2014/15 and it was concluded that such a zone would not be possible. For more information, please read the Storrington Low Emission Zone Project Report.
Storrington Air Quality Steering Group
Storrington steering group has contributed to the development of the Action Plan and is the decision making body for the Action Plan measures to be taken forward. The most recent meeting of the group was held on the 14th February 2025, notes of the last meeting are available here.
Former AQMA in Horsham District: Cowfold AQMA
The Cowfold AQMA was declared in December 2011 and revoked in February 2026 after several consecutive years of monitored nitrogen dioxide levels remaining below the national air quality objective. The proposal for the revocation was published in the 2025 ASR, available on our webpage.
Although the AQMA has been revoked, NO2 and PM2.5 monitoring in the village will continue. This ongoing monitoring ensures pollutant levels remain compliant with national air quality objectives and allows the Council to identify any future changes in local air quality.
The formal Revocation Order, issued in accordance with the Environment Act 1995 and DEFRA guidance, is available to download below.