Further air-quality sensors have been installed in the Royal Borough in response to a petition by residents. The sensors monitor the levels of particulate matter in a set area and will help to enhance the existing nitrogen dioxide monitoring network.
The petition, which received more than 2,000 signatures, was launched in 2022. It was then debated at Full Council later that year, where a commitment was made to add the additional monitoring stations for particulate matter.
The five sites where the additional sensors have been installed are:
• Bridge Road, Maidenhead – between Ray Street and Oldfield Road
• Windsor Road, Bray – between Priors Way and M4 flyover
• Clarence Road/Goslar Way/Royal Windsor Way Roundabout, Windsor
• St Leonard’s Road, Windsor– near Prince Albert PH
• Wraysbury Road, Wraysbury – just south east of M25
These locations had been previously highlighted as needing additional monitoring. The sensors do have the capacity to be relocated and moved if needed. Residents are able to view the air quality readings at the sensor sites in the Borough via the Air Quality England website. Annual air-quality statistics are published each summer.
Particulate matter is a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease, cancer, and other health complications. The UK Government are currently focused on measuring the fractions of particulate matter where particles are less than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10) and less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5).
The sensors monitor for PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide.
Cllr Karen Davies, Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Windsor Town Council, said: “The installation at these five sites shows that we are taking our residents’ concerns about air quality seriously. This is something that I care deeply about and have championed since being in office and am proud to see the monitoring stations are now up.
“We’re currently meeting the Government-set air quality objectives, however we need to do so much better as a Borough. Through our collective efforts as a community, we can make sure that nitrogen dioxide reduces much more than national limits. With this additional monitoring, we’ll be able to focus on particulate matter levels, which have a huge impact on air quality and public health."
“As a council, we’re taking a number of steps to address particulates including promoting workplace, school and personalised travel planning, improving facilities for cycling and walking, promoting bus services, and installing electric vehicle charge points.”