Air quality in Usk has improved to such an extent that Monmouthshire County Council has revoked the Usk Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), bringing to an end a designation that had been in place for 20 years.
The decision was formally approved on 5 June 2026.
The AQMA largely focused on Bridge Street and parts of Castle Parade, Usk and has now been revoked in accordance with Welsh Government statutory guidance.
The AQMA had been declared in November 2005 following the council’s monitoring programme identifying that nitrogen dioxide was in exceedance of the UK annual mean Objective Level of 40ug/m3. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant mainly emitted from vehicle exhausts.
An Air Quality Action Plan was established for Usk in 2009, which has helped the County Council, working primarily with Usk Town Council and Llanbadoc Community Council, to focus on and coordinate efforts to help improve air quality, alongside the development of cleaner vehicle engine technology.
Key measures have included the implementation of a 20mph zone, parking provisions and restrictions, working with businesses to try to avoid deliveries on Bridge Street during peak traffic hours, all of which have helped improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion.
Primary action has also included signage and enforcement to deter HGV’s and encouraging and facilitating Active Travel.
The Council’s Environmental Health team have been monitoring nitrogen dioxide levels since the AQMA was declared and 2014 was the last recorded year with an exceedance of the annual objective level.
The trend has been a steady lowering of levels and in 2025 were around half or lower still than the objective level. Significant reductions in nitrogen dioxide levels have been reflected in the other main towns in Monmouthshire including the one remaining AQMA at Hardwick Hill (A48) in Chepstow.
Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Councillor Angela Sandles, said: “This improving air quality is really positive, with close collaboration between the County, Usk Town and Llanbadoc Community Councils helping to deliver, alongside of course cleaner vehicle engines. “We remain committed to maintaining clean, safe communities and will continue to monitor air quality in Usk and across Monmouthshire, positively influencing where we can the improvement in air quality for people living, working and visiting the county.”
