Henley air quality
Henley Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)
Monitoring air quality in Henley
We have been monitoring air quality in Henley since 1997, and results have shown it exceeds recommended levels of nitrogen dioxide.
Monitoring is there to protect residents living in the area, however the levels are below the short-term objective where we would then be concerned for people working in or walking through the area.
Reasons for Henley's air pollution problems
The source of the problem is road traffic, primarily congestion building up along duke Street. exacerbated by the canyon effect of a narrow road with tall buildings either side preventing adequate dispersal of pollutants.
Henley Air Quality Management Area
South Oxfordshire District Council previously designated Duke Street and the adjoining road junctions as an Air Quality Management Area. As a result of further monitoring and detailed air quality modelling, the Air Quality Management Area has been extended to cover:
- Duke Street
- Hart Street
- Market Place
- Bell Street to the New Street junction
- Greys Road to the Albert Road junction
- Friday Street to the Queens Road junction
- Reading Road to the Station Road junction
You can view the plan of Henley-on-Thames Air Quality Management Area from the menu on the top right of the page.
What happens now?
To address the problem an air quality action plan was drawn up. The action plan lists a number of measures identified to try and improve the air quality in Henley. The plan was drawn up in consultation with local residents, businesses and other local organisations, and is being implemented by the Henley air quality steering group. The steering group is made up of South Oxfordshire District Council, Henley Town Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the Henley partnership.
Henley air quality campaign (HAQ)
People living and working in Henley are being urged to play their part in tackling increasing levels of air pollution in the town centre - caused mainly by the growth of traffic. Find out more about the campaign at www.henleyairquality.com
Last reviewed: 25 - 01 - 2011
