Two Hitchin streets previously flagged for air-quality concerns have officially been given the all-clear.

North Herts Council has confirmed that Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) designations covering Stevenage Road and Payne's Park will be removed, following a Cabinet decision on 20 January 2026.

Why the status has been lifted

The council is legally required to revoke AQMA status once pollution levels remain below national limits for a sustained period.

Long-term monitoring shows nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels along both Stevenage Road and Payne's Park have stayed consistently below national air-quality objectives for more than five years. With no recent exceedances recorded, the streets now meet the statutory criteria for ending the enhanced monitoring previously required under the AQMA designation.

What this means for Hitchin residents

Importantly, the decision does not mean air-quality monitoring will stop.

The council says its statutory monitoring network will continue to operate exactly as before, with:

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• 42 NO₂ sampling locations across North Hertfordshire
• Dedicated monitoring stations in Hitchin
• Ongoing tracking of particulate matter

Road traffic remains the main source of nitrogen dioxide locally. However, national trends — including the shift towards cleaner engines and electric vehicles — have contributed to a gradual reduction in emissions over time.

Bringing the two Hitchin locations out of AQMA status reflects the improved data while maintaining oversight of air quality across the district.

Wider work continues

The council says it will continue working closely with Hertfordshire County Council and other partners to address broader air-quality and public-health issues.

This includes responding to community concerns, assessing potential health impacts and ensuring that any industrial, transport or environmental risks are properly monitored and communicated.

Cllr Mick Debenham, Executive Member for Regulatory, said: "This is a positive milestone for Hitchin. Long-term monitoring shows that air quality in these areas has remained well within safe national limits for several years.

"Ending the AQMAs is a technical but important step that reflects the reality of the data. Our monitoring continues as before, and we remain fully committed to safeguarding air quality across North Herts."

The decision brings Hitchin in line with the latest air-quality evidence while keeping safeguards firmly in place.

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