Air pollution

Air Quality Strategy

Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan
Poor air quality is a problem for Westminster. This comes from the millions of vehicles that travel through the area, the dense network of roads and buildings which both emit pollution and prevent it from dispersing, and significant amount of background pollution, which originates from further afield. Other factors such as weather systems and the geography of London also play a part in how pollution affects us. A third of Westminster residents say that pollution affects them.

Developing a new Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan
In 1999 Westminster was the first authority to declare an air quality management area covering the entire borough. Westminster was the first council to publish its Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan in 2001. This plan now requires updating, as progress has been made against the actions contained in it. Work is now underway to update it, to refocus our efforts, and generate new actions with the overall aim of meeting the pollutant standards set out in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2007).

Consultation
The City Council will be seeking views as the drafting of the new Strategy progresses.

Summer Consultation on an Air Quality Issues paper
This will set out the key issues affecting air quality in Westminster, the proposed objectives, and suggested actions which could form part of the future strategy.

Winter Consultation on a draft Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan
This will set out in more detail the actions that are proposed as part of the final strategy, and will build on comments and suggestions raised at the Issues stage.

Spring 2009

Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan
The new strategy will be published in the spring and will set out our objectives and actions for a 5 year period.

Relevant documents

Developing a new Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan - Consultation on Issues

Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan - SEA Scoping Report

Air Quality - Issue Response Form

For further information about the air quality strategy and action plan:

Call: 020 7641 1883

Email: airqualitystrategy@westminster.gov.uk