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 Action Plan

As a result of the detailed assessment of air quality on Ewell High Street in 2007, we declared Ewell High Street an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This was because this report identified that there was a risk of the annual nitrogen dioxide objective being exceeded in this area in the future.  As at 2025 the levels are reduced to below the national objective and we expect to shortly be able to revoke the Order.

Ewell High Street air quality action plan and further assessment of air quality

Further assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide in Ewell High Street

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: