Air quality is the number one concern for people in Westminster. To help tackle this problem, we have identified several priorities to help us keep our air clean:
Building on the pledges in our current Air Quality Manifesto (PDF, 109MB), we have now published a new Air Quality Action Plan which provides a comprehensive overview of how we will continue to make progress on this agenda from 2020 to 2024.
We will continue to integrate our air quality agenda and green policies into the life and work of Westminster City Council. You can find out more about our wider sustainability ambitions by visiting our Greener City webpages.
Westminster City Council has set out an Air Quality Action Plan to tackle air pollution in our city. Let us know what you think of our plans by taking part in our consultation.
Read the full Air Quality Action Plan (PDF, 4MB)
Read the summary of our Air Quality Action Plan (PDF, 864KB)
Have your say - take our survey
The consultation will close on 3 March 2020.
Approximately 250,000 people call Westminster their home, with another 1 million visitors every day. Parts of Westminster have recorded some of the worst air pollution levels in Europe making tackling this issue vital to our city and its residents.
This plan details the actions we will take to improve air quality in Westminster between 2020 and 2024. This includes reducing emissions from buildings and new developments, leading the way in electric vehicle infrastructure, encouraging a shift away from polluting vehicles, and working with partners such as schools, businesses and universities to reduce emissions.
This is just one part of our plan to make Westminster cleaner and greener, and will help us reach our goal of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2040.
For the first time, this plan commits Westminster to meeting World Health Organisation guidelines for air quality, which exceed the targets set by UK law. Setting this ambitious target emphasises our commitment to improving the air we all breathe in Westminster.
Our action plan outlines 5 major themes:
Air pollution is not something we can tackle alone. As well as not being contained in our borough or even national boundaries, many of the factors contributing to pollution in Westminster are beyond our control. That’s why we’re committed to working with all levels of government, businesses, residents and everyone else with a stake in the air we breathe.
You can register for free air quality alerts by text message or email from airTEXT. airTEXT alerts also contain useful information on how you can reduce your exposure to harmful pollution when air quality levels are especially poor.
Westminster also produces annual Air Quality Progress Reports which are available for download:
The council produces annual Air Quality Progress Reports which are available for download:
You can also get detailed statistics and data on air quality in Westminster, including forecasts, from London Air and also from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Air pollution can include things like fumes, smoke, gas, odours and dust. If you're experiencing an issue, you can report air pollution or report engine idling online.
Or to report a smoky vehicle or excessive exhaust fumes, please go to GOV.UK.
There are lots of ways you can get involved in our work to improve air quality across Westminster.
Each of our air quality manifesto pledges explains how we want to work with you and how you can shape our policies and projects to improve air quality in your area. It’s really important that we all work together to improve the air we all breathe.
Find our more on our air quality manifesto webpage.
There are also lots of simple steps you can take to reduce your own emissions, as well as reducing your exposure to harmful pollution. Here are just a few things to get you started:
In 2017 Westminster City Council launched an air quality task group: councillors from the Environment, Health and Children’s Scrutiny Committees formed the task group and, with input from experts, focused on three main areas:
This task group’s final report can be found below. We're also publishing the evidence review which was commissioned by the task group which has informed our work. The task group thanks everyone who submitted evidence.
This report will form part of the evidence base for our new statutory Air Quality Action Plan due in 2018.
It is crucial that national government and the Mayor of London play their part in tackling air pollution.
In early 2018 we submitted a response to the Mayor of London’s proposals on the Ultra Low Emission Zone and Low Emission Zone, and wrote to the Deputy Mayor of London about our aspirations for our low emission fleet.
View the full response to the Mayor’s Air Quality Consultation
Our #DontBeIdle campaign aims to improve air quality for our residents and visitors.
Find out all about this exciting campaign to improve the air we all breathe, and find out how you can get involved, by visiting the #DontBeIdle webpages.