Air pollution data
We collect air pollution data across Westminster using the most modern and efficient techniques available.
Currently two of Westminster Council's monitoring sites are government sponsored. These are in Marylebone Road opposite Madame Tussauds (London Marylebone) and in Horseferry Road, Victoria (London Westminster).
London Marylebone Road is often referred to as the "supersite" since it contains almost every instrument available for monitoring air quality. Its position at the kerbside of one of the busiest roads in central London means that levels of pollutants recorded are amongst the highest in the UK.
London Westminster in on a much less busy road and is designated as an urban background site. Pollution levels here tend to be close to the various objective levels.
Data are collected and placed on the national air quality archive. Data can be downloaded through a menu system.
Two other sites operate on Charing Cross Road and in Covent Garden. Data are available on the London air quality network operated by the Environmental Research Group at Kings College, London www.londonair.org.uk. Follow the links to Westminster.
In June 2009 we have resurrected a site that had operated for a decade on Oxford Street. This measured fine particles (PM10) using a manually changed daily gravimetric sampler. Our new instrument is now automated and will show what improvements have been made to air quality by cleaner engined buses and taxis. In parallel with this we will restart our Hyde Park PM10 monitor to represent what is as near as we have to a rural background; albiet in the centre of London.
Finally we participate in a national nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube survey. These give monthly averages at eight locations around Westminster.
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