📍 South West England

Gloucester Air Quality 2025Real-Time Monitor - 3 Active AQMAs

Check Gloucester air quality in real-time with live PM2.5, NO2 monitoring. 3 Active AQMAs: Barton Street city centre, Priory Road A417, Painswick Road. NO2 declining since 2013. Expert guide to improving indoor air quality in Gloucester.

Live Air Quality

Real-Time Air Quality Monitor

Powered by Google Air Quality API • 100% Free

🏰 Gloucester Air Pollution Overview

Gloucester has 3 Active Air Quality Management Areas: Barton Street city centre (declared 2005), Priory Road A417 (2005), and Painswick Road (2007). All were designated for NO2 exceedances from heavy traffic. NO2 has decreased since 2013 as vehicle fleets became cleaner, but some locations still exceed the 40 µg/m³ legal limit maintaining AQMA status.

Key Gloucester Air Quality Features

  • Barton Street AQMA: City centre (declared 2005) for NO2
  • Priory Road AQMA: A417 arterial route (declared 2005)
  • Painswick Road AQMA: Declared 2007 for NO2 exceedances
  • NO2 Decreased Since 2013: Cleaner vehicles driving improvements

Gloucester vs UK Air Quality Standards

PollutantWHO GuidelineGloucester StatusTrend
PM2.5 (annual)5 µg/m³Above guidelineMonitored
NO₂ (annual)40 µg/m³ (UK legal limit)3 AQMAs (some still exceed)Declining since 2013
AQMA DesignationsMinimize AQMAs3 Active (2005-2007)Stable count

Gloucester's 3 Active AQMAs (declared 2005-2007) show NO2 declining since 2013 due to cleaner vehicles, but some locations still exceed 40 µg/m³ maintaining AQMA status.

🚗 Gloucester's 3 Active AQMAs & NO2 Trends

1. Barton Street AQMA City Centre (Declared 2005)

Designation: 2005 AQMA for NO2 exceedances in historic city centre

Barton Street AQMA was declared in 2005 for NO2 pollution from heavy traffic congestion in Gloucester city centre. The historic street carries continuous vehicle flow with limited ventilation for emissions to disperse. While NO2 has decreased since 2013 as vehicle fleets became cleaner (Euro 5/6 standards), Barton Street remains an active AQMA as some monitoring locations still exceed the 40 µg/m³ legal limit.

2. Priory Road AQMA A417 (Declared 2005)

Designation: 2005 AQMA for A417 arterial route NO2 pollution

The Priory Road AQMA on the A417 was declared in 2005 for nitrogen dioxide exceedances from the major arterial route. The A417 carries heavy commuter and HGV traffic, creating persistent NO2 emissions. Despite overall NO2 decreasing since 2013 across Gloucester due to cleaner vehicle standards, the A417 corridor remains an active AQMA requiring continued monitoring and traffic management interventions.

3. Painswick Road AQMA (Declared 2007)

Designation: 2007 AQMA for NO2 exceedances from traffic

Painswick Road AQMA was declared in 2007 for NO2 pollution from heavy traffic volumes. Designated slightly later than Barton Street and A417, Painswick Road represents Gloucester's third persistent NO2 hotspot. Benefits from the same citywide NO2 declining trend since 2013 as vehicle emissions standards improved, but maintains AQMA status as pollution levels require ongoing management.

4. NO2 Decreased Since 2013 (Cleaner Vehicles)

Trend: Citywide NO2 improvements from vehicle emission standards

Gloucester has experienced NO2 decreasing since 2013 as the vehicle fleet became cleaner through Euro 5/6 emission standards. This natural fleet turnover reduced nitrogen dioxide levels across all 3 AQMAs without requiring a CAZ like Bradford (36→4 violations) or Birmingham (13% reduction with charges). The improvement demonstrates how vehicle technology advances reduce pollution over time, though not fast enough to eliminate AQMAs.

5. Some Locations Still Exceed 40 µg/m³

Current Status: AQMAs remain active as exceedances continue

Despite NO2 declining since 2013, some Gloucester monitoring locations still exceed the 40 µg/m³ legal limit, maintaining the 3 Active AQMAs declared 2005-2007. This demonstrates that while natural vehicle fleet improvements help, they may be insufficient to fully resolve air quality challenges without additional interventions. The persistent exceedances justify continued AQMA designation and Action Plan measures.

📈 Gloucester Air Quality Trends

Gloucester's NO2 declining trend since 2013 shows improvement from cleaner vehicles, but 3 Active AQMAs remain as some locations still exceed legal limits.

✅ Positive Trends

  • • NO2 decreasing since 2013
  • • Cleaner vehicle fleet (Euro 5/6)
  • • Natural emissions improvements
  • • Citywide pollution reduction trend

⚠️ Ongoing Challenges

  • • 3 Active AQMAs (since 2005-2007)
  • • Some locations still exceed 40 µg/m³
  • • Barton Street city centre congestion
  • • A417 arterial route traffic

🏠 Protect Your Health: Indoor Air Quality Solutions

With 3 Active AQMAs and some locations still exceeding 40 µg/m³ NO2, indoor air filtration provides essential protection for Gloucester residents, especially near Barton Street, A417, and Painswick Road.

Recommended Solutions

  • MERV13-16 Air Purifiers: Remove 85-95% of PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants from traffic emissions. Target 5-6 air changes per hour (ACH) in bedrooms and living rooms.
  • DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box: Cost-effective solution at £150-200 using filters from B&Q or Screwfix. Provides excellent traffic pollution filtration.
  • AQMA Protection: Critical for residents in the 3 Active AQMAs - Barton Street city centre, Priory Road A417 corridor, and Painswick Road.
  • Declining But Persistent: While NO2 has decreased since 2013, exceedances continue. Indoor filtration ensures protection regardless of outdoor improvement pace.

💨 Why Indoor Air Filtration Matters in Gloucester

Gloucester's 3 Active AQMAs (declared 2005-2007) demonstrate persistent NO2 challenges despite declining trends since 2013. Some locations still exceed the 40 µg/m³ legal limit. Indoor air filtration provides 24/7 protection from Barton Street city centre, A417, and Painswick Road traffic pollution. Essential for residents near these AQMAs and those with respiratory conditions.

Shop Air Purifiers for Gloucester →

Professional MERV13-16 filters for 3 AQMA protection and traffic pollution filtration