Winchester's Air Quality Strategy
Our Air Quality Strategy sets out a district‑wide plan to improve air quality and protect public health, working collaboratively to achieve cleaner air by 2030 by going beyond current UK national standards.
We monitor air quality across the district every year to ensure that concentrations are not exceeding national objectives and to track changes over time. Air quality in Winchester’s district is generally good, and there has been an overall improvement in air quality over the past five years. However, there are still improvements to be made to meet Winchester City Council’s air quality targets by 2030.
Read our full Air Quality Strategy:
On this page
— Air quality and health - why do we need to improve air quality?
— Air quality in Winchester’s district
— Our commitment to improving air quality
— Reducing exposure to air pollution
— Monitoring and evaluation
Air quality and health - why do we need to improve air quality?
Air pollution is the most significant environmental threat to public health in the UK. In recent decades, new policies and technological advances have contributed to steady improvements in air quality, however there is still a need for action across communities in the UK to improve air quality and safeguard public health, the environment, and the economy.
Poor air quality is a significant contributor to premature mortality, the onset of diseases, and a decline in both quality of life and overall wellbeing. Air pollution in the UK is estimated to lead to between 29,000 to 43,000 premature deaths every year, incurring an estimated £1.6 billion cost for the NHS and our social care system between 2017 and 2025.
People are affected by air pollution in different ways, and some groups are more susceptible than others, including older people, children, people with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions, and those who are pregnant.
Air quality in the district
The key sources of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter pollution are local and regional road transport, as well as the domestic and commercial burning of fossil fuels. Air quality is also affected by emissions outside the district from neighbouring areas, the rest of the UK, and other countries. It is therefore important that we collaborate with neighbouring communities and businesses in Hampshire and South East England to improve our air quality and achieve our ambitious targets.
Our commitment to improving air quality
We've committed to 13 new actions between 2024 and 2030 to improve our air quality for residents and businesses. These actions fall under five key areas:
- Air quality monitoring and modelling
- Transport
- Domestic heating and combustion
- Indoor air quality
- Construction and new developments
It is recognised that there are areas of poorer air quality across our district, and also people that are more susceptible to greater adverse health impacts. We'll therefore commit to identifying these areas and populations in more detail, and will prioritise them for action.
Reducing exposure to air pollution
Everyone plays a part in contributing to air pollution, including the UK Government, Winchester City Council, businesses, and individuals. Our Air Quality Strategy sets out our commitments to improve the air we breathe, but it also provides some tips on how you can reduce your exposure to poor air quality to protect your health and the health of those around you.
Monitoring and evaluation
We'll work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to monitor, evaluate, and regulate the actions outlined in this Strategy. We'll review and report on the strategy annually in our Air Quality Annual Status Reports, keeping stakeholders up to date with progress and any changes being made.