Air quality - latest news

Residents may prefer to read a short summary of the 2011 air pollution levels that is also available.

The European Union sets limits, known as Euro Standards, on the amount of pollution emitted by a vehicle's exhaust. Your vehicle will need to meet the Euro 4 standard for particulate matter from 3 January 2012. You can use the age and weight of your vehicle as indicators. Transport for London (Tfl) have prepared a leaflet explaining the changes or you can visit their website or call 0845 607 0009.

Remember, the LEZ is not the same as the central London Congestion Charging Zone. The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year and covers most of Greater London. The M25 motorway is not included in the LEZ.

Their website has more information about the health effects of fireworks, including a video.

The procedures being used during the trial are not the same as 'Mixed Mode'. Mixed Mode involves the planned use of both runways for simultaneous take offs and arrivals and would increase the number of flights into and out of the airport. The trial will involve using one runway for both arrivals and departures, but the other runway will be only for arrivals or departures. It will only happen when certain triggers are met with aircraft delay, strong winds or following airport disruption (such as snow).

Possible impacts and benefits to local communities include:

• Loss of respite periods - the number of flights out of the usual runway alternation pattern will increase.
• The use of dual departures could mean the number of late-running flights after 10.30pm will reduce.
• The trial will be used during both easterly and westerly operations. There will be occasions therefore when the northern runway is used for departures in an easterly direction. At present, this does not occur.
• Aircraft emissions may reduce since aircraft if aircraft spend less time in holding stacks.

Heathrow has a dedicated team that will answer your specific queries regarding aircraft noise - please contact 0800 344844 or e-mail noise_complaints@baa.com. More information on the details of the trial, including a video, and questions and answers is available.

Find out more on air quality monitoring during this period, the contribution of airport emissions to local air quality concentrations and for health advice in connection with the ash in our Special Briefing Note .

Success for Spelthorne's air quality website

The survey was undertaken by an air quality magazine, Air Quality Bulletin. The survey scored websites on the quality of information and presentation together with how easy it is to find the air quality pages from the Council's home page. Spelthorne scored 4 out of 5 for both quality and findability.

The survey drew particular attention to our air quality front page for clear symbols and focusing in on the key issues for residents and consultants. The reviewers also liked the latest news section to keep residents up to date with air quality news in the Borough. We already have some more ideas about how to continue improving our website for both residents and professionals.

The survey also scored the Heathrow Airwatch website well for presentation, content, helpfulness and links to other sources of information. This follows a relaunch of the site in spring 2008. Airwatch was ranked 18th out of 64 non-council air quality websites reviewed. It provides information on air quality across Heathrow and surrounding areas, cutting across four separate Council areas. The site has been funded by a joint working partnership between us and the London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Hounslow, and Slough Borough Council, BAA Heathrow and British Airways.

The full London LEZ will be introduced in a phased approach from 4 February 2008 through to January 2012. Different vehicles will be affected over time and increasingly tougher emissions standards will apply.

Although Spelthorne itself is not affected, neighbouring areas will be, including Heathrow, Feltham, and Bedfont.

What vehicles are affected?
The LEZ does not apply to cars. It covers diesel-engine heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), buses and coaches, larger vans and minibuses, motor caravans, ambulances and hearses over a specific weight limit. Currently HGVs, buses and coaches are affected. Large vans and minibuses will be included from 2010.

How will it affect me?
To drive one of the affected vehicles in London you must register and meet the emissions standards. You will need to pay the daily charge if you drive within the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in a vehicle that does not meet the LEZ emission standards and is not exempt from the scheme or entitled to a 100 per cent discount. You can check you vehicle's compliance and what options are available to you on the Transport for London website.

The LEZ is clearly identifiable by:

• Signs at the boundary informing drivers they are entering the zone
• Signs on roads outside the zone giving advance warning to drivers that they are approaching the LEZ
• Signs approximately every 5km within the zone to let drivers know they are within the LEZ

For further information
See the Transport for London website or call 0845 607 0009.