Under the Environment Act 1995, local authorities must designate areas where the prescribed Air Quality Objectives are not likely to be met, and where members of the public might reasonably be exposed to levels of pollution that exceed national averages. These Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are then subject to an action plan which states the measures the authority intends to introduce in pursuit of the air quality objectives. Action plans can include the following:

• Park & Ride schemes
• Improvements to public transport
• Reduction in parking provision
• Low emission zones
• Adoption of roadside emission testing and enforcement measures
• Promoting cleaner fuels
• Local travel plans
• High occupancy vehicle lanes
• Increase in bus only and cycle lanes
• Pedestrianisation
• Planning policies and other strategies for the reduction of road traffic.

Further details and more information can be found on the Liverpool City Council AQMA website.