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  2. Sustainable Elmbridge

Clean air

From changing travel habits to careful use of open fires and wood-burning stoves, there are plenty of ways to reduce air pollution.

On this page you'll find information on electric transport, active travel, public transport and car sharing, open fires and wood burning stoves and air quality in Elmbridge. 

Electric transport

If you're thinking about purchasing an e-car or an e-bike, take a look at:

  • Zap-map: you can find more than 20,000 public charge points and search for electric vehicle models
  • GOV.UK: Low-emission vehicles plug-in grant: with this grant for vehicle dealerships and manufacturers, you may be able to receive a discount on the price of brand new low-emission vehicles

We have also installed many charging points across the borough. To find out more about your nearest charging point see Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. You can also read about our anti-idling campaign to see how we are promoting an idle-free Elmbridge for our future.

Electric vehicle charging

Active travel

Replacing car journeys with walking and cycling is an important aspect of carbon reduction, as well as a good way to support your wellbeing.

Not only does it help keep you and the planet healthy, but it can also help save you money.

In Elmbridge, we are lucky to have many scenic walking and cycling routes along the river, as well as around our heaths and green spaces.

Get involved in active travel in Elmbridge

You can get involved through wellbeing walks and cycles and the cycle network. 

Wellbeing walks

Find out more about how you can join one of the wellbeing walks that take place in the borough.

Wellbeing cycles

As well as wellbeing walks, wellbeing cycle rides also happen in Elmbridge. Find out more about how you can join.

Surrey County Council cycle network

Planning to go on a cycle in the borough? The Surrey County Council cycle network will help you plan your route. On the Surrey County Council website, you can also view the Surrey Interactive Map, and learn about free cycle training courses.

There are also plans to improve walking and cycling in Surrey. Find out more about the Elmbridge Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

BetterPoints App

You can earn rewards and win prizes for travelling around Surrey on foot, by bike or public transport with the BetterPoints App. Download and sign up for free to start tracking your activity automatically through your phone, and earn BetterPoints for getting around.

Health and activity trackers

Want to monitor your health and activity, but don’t have a tracker? Surrey Libraries have been working with Active Surrey to develop a service for Surrey Library members to reserve and borrow an activity tracker for free from all libraries. Find out more and reserve a tracker. 

Public transport and car sharing

Public transport provides us with an environmentally friendly way of getting around, while car sharing schemes and clubs can also help to reduce the number of cars on the road.

How do I find out about travelling by public transport in Elmbridge?

Find out more through:

  • travelling by bus in Surrey (Surrey County Council) 
  • hire a bus with Elmbridge Borough Council
  • trains in Surrey (Surrey County Council)
  • railcard offered by National Rail: options to save on your travel

Where can I find out more about car sharing and car clubs in Elmbridge?

Visit these sites for more information:

  • Car clubs: Surrey County Council - provision in Surrey is expanding
  • Enterprise Car Club (Surrey)

Open fires and wood burning stoves

Open fires and wood burning stoves have risen in popularity. However smoke, and the particulates it contains, cause air pollution which can harm your health and those around you.

Feet in fluffy socks in front of a wood burning stove

Read our tips for using wood burning stoves

Choose the right appliance

Wood burning stoves create less pollution than open fires, but you should choose a stove that is ‘ecodesign ready’ and future-proof yourself.

Buy ‘Ready to Burn’ fuel

Wet or unseasoned wood holds moisture which contains harmful particulates when burned - dry wood should have 20% moisture or less. Look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo as a guarantee of high-quality dry wood.

Use approved solid fuels

These products generate less smoke compared to house-coal when burned - they can also be more efficient, and therefore more economical.

Consider burning less

Think about how much fuel you are using and why you are lighting your fire. If it is a secondary heating source, ask yourself if it is necessary.

Don’t burn treated wood or household rubbish

Treated waste wood and household rubbish can emit harmful fumes and toxic pollutants into your home when burnt.

Complete regular maintenance

You should maintain your stove annually to maximise efficiency, as well as regularly having your chimney swept, as this reduces the risk of chimney fires.

For further guidance, please see:

  • Bonfire guidelines
  • Defra: Guide on open fires and wood burning stoves (PDF, 268KB)

Elmbridge air quality

Key air quality measurements are taken in Elmbridge.  To read more about our annual air quality status reports and our Air Quality Action Plan see local air quality measurements.

You can also sign up to airAlert to receive alerts when air pollution levels are high in your area.
 

Blue sky

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