New Air Quality Website Launched

A new Oxfordshire air quality website has been launched providing live data on air quality along with guidance and resources for across the county.

The website (www.oxonair.uk) which has been created in partnership between Oxford City, Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, and Oxfordshire County Council – aims to integrate all relevant air quality-related information from all district councils in Oxfordshire under one single platform. The website shows the live monitor in Duke Street Henley.  During July 2023 the levels were recorded as ‘low’.  You can read the full report here.

The launch of the joint website demonstrates each Council’s commitment to tackling air pollution across the county.

In March 2021, Oxford City Council was awarded £162,500 to develop an air quality community website to help raise awareness of air pollution across Oxfordshire. The platform replaces the old website and includes several new features, including:

• Air pollution forecasts up to five days in advance
• Air pollution alerts for Oxfordshire
• Air quality footprint calculator
• Air quality pledges for individuals
• Information on individual council air quality projects across the county

The website also continues to feature a map and real-time readings of monitoring stations across Oxfordshire including NO₂, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, as well as general advice on air quality, why it is important, and how it is monitored across the county.

The new website was created by all Oxfordshire Councils in partnership with global strategic environmental and engineering consulting company Ricardo, and Oxfordshire residents were encouraged to share their views on what features they would like to include on the website.

It has been funded through a £162,000 grant from Government’s Air Quality Grant after a successful bid by Oxford City Council.

SODC announced in July their Air Quality Action plan which recommended proposals for Henley which is an Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) which included walking and cycling improvements,  electric vehicle charging points and a workplace charging levey.

Air pollution is chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, plants, and can damage buildings. The main pollutants of concern to scientists and health experts are particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) ozone, nitrogen dioxide.

Air pollution has been found to particularly impact the most vulnerable members of society, such as those from minority backgrounds, the young, old and those experiencing health issues.

Across Oxfordshire in 2021, it was estimated that air pollution’s effect on mortality was equivalent to 320 early deaths.

Cllr Sue Cooper, South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The new website is a useful and welcome resource that everyone in Oxfordshire can use to see clearly where the highest risk of air pollution is. The next step will be to look at ways to tackle it.”