1. Introduction
The purpose of this consultation is to request comments from interested parties on the UK's draft time extension notification ( Annexes A and B) to the European Commission. This is to secure, for eight zones/agglomerations in England, Scotland and Wales, an exemption from the obligation to apply the limit values for particulate matter (PM 10 - dust particles) until 2011, as provided for under the new ambient air quality directive (2008/50/EC). The notification sets out in detail how the limit values will be achieved in these areas by the extended deadline.
A consultation Impact Assessment ( Annex C) supports this approach, which will allow planned measures to come into effect to deliver improvements in air quality.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in consultation with the Welsh Assembly Government are carrying out an identical consultation for England and Wales.