Issue

Air Quality

78 stories · discussed at 252 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently discussing transport policies to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality, alongside measures to control domestic smoke.

In September 2026, Kingston upon Thames Council began a trial School Street scheme to improve air quality around Robin Hood Primary School. Barking and Dagenham councillors questioned the methodology for measuring air quality improvements from Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) expansion in September 2026. Richmond Council formally objected to the Heathrow expansion in August 2026, citing significant concerns over air quality.

Lewisham Council approved a £107 million contract for electric vehicle (EV) charging points and began the process to establish a borough-wide smoke control area in September 2026, aiming to improve air quality. Tower Hamlets Council approved revised emissions-based parking fees in July 2026, targeting higher-emission vehicles. Havering Council also called for greater transparency and reinvestment of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) revenue in July 2026.

The Harrow Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet on 20 October 2026, where discussions related to traffic and road safety may impact air quality. Air quality refers to the condition of the air in terms of its purity and the presence of pollutants, affecting public health and the environment.

Key facts

  1. Kingston upon Thames Council began a trial School Street scheme in September 2026 to improve air quality. Source
  2. Barking and Dagenham councillors questioned the methodology for measuring air quality improvements from CPZ expansion in September 2026. Source
  3. Lewisham Council approved a £107 million contract for electric vehicle charging points in September 2026. Source
  4. Lewisham Council began the statutory process to establish a borough-wide smoke control area in September 2026. Source
  5. Richmond Council formally objected to the Heathrow expansion in August 2026, citing air quality concerns. Source 1 Source 2
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 15 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 9

  1. Lewisham Council to Retrofit 250 Homes for Energy Efficiency Lewisham Council is set to retrofit 250 homes with energy-efficient upgrades, thanks to £2.5m in funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The council has also... Lewisham 14 September 2025
  2. Newham to purchase food waste collection vehicles Newham Council is set to purchase six new refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) specifically designed for food waste collection, following a decision made on Monday, 8 September 2025. Newham 13 September 2025
  3. Waltham Forest faces £31.4M budget overspend Waltham Forest is grappling with a significant budget overspend of £31.4 million, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny Committee. Like many other local... Waltham Forest 8 September 2025
  4. Westminster Investigates Unauthorised Air Con Units on Listed Building Westminster Council is currently investigating the installation of unauthorised air conditioning units on a Grade II listed building in the Bayswater Conservation Area. Westminster 10 August 2025
  5. Barking & Dagenham Review Officer Powers, Delegation Scheme Barking and Dagenham Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its constitution, including officer powers and the delegation scheme, to enhance service performance and... Barking and Dagenham 3 August 2025
  6. Brent to Install 2,000 New EV Charging Points to Tackle Climate Change and Inequality Brent Council is set to significantly expand its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with the installation of nearly 2,000 new charging points across the borough. The existing... Brent 31 July 2025
  7. Newham to Retrofit 359 Homes with £1.5M Warm Homes Grant Newham is set to retrofit 359 homes with energy-efficient upgrades thanks to a £1.5 million grant from the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund. The homes, many of which have known... Newham 25 July 2025
  8. Haringey to Push for 20mph Speed Limit on All Roads Haringey Council is considering implementing a borough-wide 20mph speed limit on all roads. The potential change follows a question raised by Councillor Adam Small to Councillor... Haringey 25 July 2025