Air quality monitoring and management

We have a responsibility to review and assess the current and likely future air quality within our borough from time to time. Air quality is assessed against objectives for various pollutants which are set out in the National Air Quality Strategy. These objectives are based on scientific and medical evidence on the effects of each pollutant on human health.

Where a local authority identifies that an air quality objective for a particular pollutant is being, or may be, exceeded in a particular area where there is relevant public exposure, they must declare an air quality management area.

Ewell High Street

Having previously been a cause for concern, levels of nitrogen dioxide within the Ewell High Street locality are now much improved and the Council has revoked the previous Air Quality Management Area designation.  This follows the delivery of a previous action plan and gradual improvements to the fleet.  The revocation Order appears on this webpage.

Which pollutants do we monitor?

In Epsom and Ewell we monitor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Nitrogen dioxide is monitored at 25 sites throughout the borough using diffusion tubes.

From time to time we comission air quality dispersion modelling which includes an assessment of particulate concentration.

Our air quality reports

As part of the review and assessment process, we have produced a number of reports on air quality: