Air quality continues to improve in Wandsworth

Air quality is improving in Wandsworth as levels of the dangerous pollutant nitrogen dioxide have dropped across the borough.

Wandsworth’s extensive monitoring network shows significant improvements in levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is primarily caused by vehicle engines and commercial and residential fossil fuel heating systems.

The monitoring sites in Clapham Junction, Tooting High Street, Battersea’s Thessaly Road, Putney High Street, and Putney’s Felsham Road all recorded falling pollution levels that meet UK air quality objectives.

In Putney High Street, average concentrations of NO2 recorded in 2024 have fallen by 40 per cent since 2021, while levels have also dropped at each of the other monitoring sites.

Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the commitment we have made to air quality is making a real difference to levels of pollutants across the borough.

“But we are not complacent about the ongoing hard work needed to continue improving air quality for all our residents and businesses throughout Wandsworth. As part of our latest Air Quality Action Plans, we were one of the first London boroughs to adopt the World Health Organisation’s interim targets and we remain committed to achieving our ambitious local air quality objectives. 

“We’ve enhanced our air quality monitoring network and will continue to keep track of pollution levels and take meaningful action to keep improving.”

Wandsworth’s latest air quality monitoring data has been approved by the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority as part of the London Local Air Quality Management (LLAQM) system.

Air quality action in Wandsworth

As well as the five automatic monitoring sites across Wandsworth, non-automatic monitoring was undertaken at 55 sites across the borough in 2024.

The figures show an overall trend of improved air quality across the borough.

Read the latest full Air Quality Annual Status Report for Wandsworth here.

We’re supporting our communities through making improvements across the borough that help us all breathe cleaner air.

• Over 1,400 EV charging points and 50% of primary schools benefitting from car-free school streets.
• Delivering on the Walking and Cycling strategy: providing cleaner, greener and safer active travel options for residents. This includes improving pavements and crossings for pedestrians and providing additional cycle lanes to connect key destinations in the borough.130 additional bikehangar spaces installed, as part of London’s largest bikehangar installation programme with even more planned.
• 1,000 new trees planted, along with other biodiversity enhancements across parks.
• 12 parks achieved Green Flag status, and Wandsworth was spotlighted by Good Parks for London for 'supporting nature'.
• Over 40 businesses supported to become more sustainable through the Making Businesses Greener Scheme.
• 90% reduction in carbon emissions from the council’s new waste collection fleet and food waste collections are due to reach almost every home in Wandsworth, as part of our Cleaner Borough Plan.
• Waiving fees for street parties held to celebrate Car Free Day, as part of our Sustainable September activities.
• Working with schools on air quality audits and developing a clean air schools accreditation programme.
• Unveiling the 2,000th zero-emission bus in Transport for London’s fleet at Battersea bus station.

As a listening Council, we will continue to work with residents, businesses, community energy groups, and local organisations over the year ahead. This includes working with our Air Quality Citizens Assembly and Air Quality Ambassadors to help local people understand and take action to improve air quality.

We are committed to taking action on the climate and were awarded a top rating by environmental body CDP earlier this year, as well as being placed among the top five authorities in the country for our work to becoming a carbon net zero borough by 2043.

Wandsworth Sustainability Network – Tuesday 9 September

Come along to the Wandsworth Sustainability Network as part of this year’s programme and have your say on local issues.

The event will showcase the borough’s Biodiversity Action Plan, with interactive sessions designed to share ideas and local knowledge around supporting wildlife, restoring habitats and connecting with nature.

• Venue: Doddington and Rollo Community Centre and Rooftop Garden, Battersea
• Date: Tuesday 9 September
• Time: 5.30 to 7.30pm

Register for the Wandsworth Sustainability Network event here.

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