'Tis the season to be jolly for roadside monitoring locations have measured large reductions in nitrogen dioxide concentrations, particularly in the last year. Our background monitoring site shows atmospheric levels of NO2 away from emission sources have remained level since last year, within the UK and WHO annual legal limit of 40µg/m3 whilst roadside levels have seen a reduction of up to 29µg/m3 in the last 5 years (*2019 results are still preliminary).

Read Jeremy Simons, Chairman of Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, column in City Matters regarding the efforts of the City Corporation to reduce pollution. See below for a link to the City of London Air Quality Strategy which sets out our plans to continue this improvement in air quality over the next 5 years.

The first 24/7 zero emission street in the UK is planned for Beech Street. As an enclosed road pollutants can get trapped in Beech Street leading to higher levels of air pollution. From Spring 2020, subject to approval by Transport for London, Beech Street is expected to become restricted to zero emission vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians through an experimental Traffic Management Order. Air pollution will be continuously monitored throughout the 18 month trial, which will lead to a reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels.