Since 1997 local authorities in the UK have been carrying out a review and assessment of air quality in their areas. The aim of the review is to assist authorities to carry out their statutory duty to work towards meeting the national air quality objectives. If a local authority finds any places where the objectives are not likely to be achieved, it must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) there.
Key air quality measurements are taken in Elmbridge. The average monthly level of nitrogen dioxide (mainly emitted from vehicle exhausts) is measured at sites across the borough. These are mostly located within the borough's 6 AQMAs.
How we monitor air pollution
We carry out non automatic monitoring within the district using over 40 passive diffusion tubes to measure nitrogen dioxide.
There are 3 real time monitoring stations, 2 measuring nitrogen dioxide and 1 measuring particulates. You can see current nitrogen dioxide levels at Hampton Court Parade, East Molesey and Weybridge High Street and particulate levels in Esher High Street on UK Air Quality.
The monitoring data is reported to Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) via the Annual Status Report (ASR).
Annual Status Reports
Annual Status Reports give details of our monitoring results, updates on the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), actions and priorities
Current Annual Status Report
Historical Annual Status Reports:
Older Annual Status Reports can be requested by emailing envhealth@elmbridge.gov.uk.
Air Quality Action Plan
Where a local authority has declared an AQMA they are required to produce an AQAP, detailing actions to improve air quality. The AQAP 2021 to 2026 is embedded within our Vision 2030 to enhance our natural environment and sustainability. The 6 AQMAs within Elmbridge are reviewed annually. Where levels of nitrogen dioxide are consistently below the national objective levels the AQMA will be revoked.