A CONSULTATION event focusing on air quality in Middlewich will be held by Cheshire East Council in the Wych Centre next Tuesday.

The consultation, one of three across the borough, has been organised in response to the declaration of six new Air Quality Management (AQM) areas across east Cheshire in December.

Residents can visit the Wych Centre, in Civic Way, between 1.30pm and 7pm on Tuesday, January 17, to speak directly to an officer from the council’s air quality team.

In December, a section of Chester Road was – under the council’s legal requirement to do so – declared an AQM area due to an increase in traffic congestion.

The increase means the area has been above the national limit for pollution in recent years.

The UK Air Quality Standard is set at 40µg/m3, with Chester Road rising above it in 2014 and falling slightly below the following year.

A report by Cheshire East Council also stated that Lewin Street’s pollution levels were revealed to be above the national limit in 2013 and ‘very close’ in the past two years, but it has not been identified as a priority along with Chester Road. It is currently under increased monitoring.

Residents can also respond to an online survey about air quality, including how the council should enact changes, with a closing date of February 3.

Visit surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/AQMAs1 to take part.