In the late 1990s the Environment Agency carried out a computer modelling study of emissions from the Lynemouth Power Station stack to assess compliance with future air quality regulations, specifically the 2005 Air Quality Standards. The study identified that further work was required to assess the impact of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions.

In partnership with the Environment Agency; Alcan, Castle Morpeth and Wansbeck took a proactive approach to the monitoring and control of local air quality with a view to minimising the impact on local air quality and meeting future Air Quality Standards.

The locations of the monitoring stations were carefully selected by the Alcan Air Quality Partnership in order to be as close as practicable to the sensitive areas where emissions were predicted to impact most on air quality.

Monitoring started during 1998 with the installation of two SO2 monitors; one on the roof of Ashington Town Hall and the other at Alcan Farm’s Coneygarth Farm (located between Ashington and Pegswood).

In 2000 further monitors were installed by Wansbeck District Council and Castle Morpeth Borough Council at Newbiggin Sports Centre and Lynemouth. An additional monitor, managed by Alcan, was installed at Ellington Colliery.

The data collected at Ellington and Lynemouth confirmed that the good air quality in these two locations so these two monitoring stations were later moved to Linton Village Hall and Widdrington.

Current Monitoring Locations