Behaviours to reduce emissions and improve local air quality for our community FAQ

Most air pollution of concern in the borough is related to traffic (among other sources) therefore, there are some easy changes we can each make personally and as an organisation to reduce emissions and improve local air quality for our community. 

Personal Behaviours 

Business / Organisation Behaviours  

Important source of information  

Personal Behaviours 

Q1: Do you really need to take the car? 

Consider alternatives to using your car; walking, cycling or public transport will help reduce emissions. All vehicles also emit harmful particles through tyre wear and contribute to congestion and noise pollution.  

Unless your vehicle is electric, toxic emissions are still produced from the exhaust, and CO2 is emitted, contributing to the Climate Emergency.  

Global Action Plan and Imperial College London have published an air quality footprint calculator which can be used to show what areas of your lifestyle are generating air pollution. The calculator can be accessed here: Air Pollution Calculator (cleanairhub.org.uk). 

If you own a diesel vehicle, you can also use Cross River Partnership (CRP) 's Clean Air Tool (https://crossriverpartnership.org/clean-air-tool/) to generate your yearly emissions of CO2, NOx and PM2.5, but also get examples of how switching to an EV, bike, and walking can equate to positive impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy. 

Research has indicated that levels of air quality pollutants inside vehicles, even with the windows shut, can lead to higher exposure than pedestrians and cyclists receive on the same streets. So, by walking or cycling you could reduce your exposure and improve your fitness and health. 

Q2: Could you make some, or all, of your journeys by public transport, bike, or by foot?

The Better Points app which rewards you with points for undertaking travel by active means or on public transport can be downloaded here: https://surrey.betterpoints.app/ 

  • Public transport: For timetables, guides and maps visit the Travel Smart in Surrey website Buses and other transport - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk). Travel Smart Surrey also provides information there on car sharing and car clubs. It is recognised that public transport connectivity and costs within Spelthorne are an issue of concern. SBC are supportive of the need to have Spelthorne incorporated into London Travel Zone 6 which would reduce the fares for travel by public transport. Zone 6 fares are already applied to some areas outside of the London boroughs such as Epsom Downs, and stations in Ewell in Surrey which is an issue of inequality. Surrey County Council who are an air quality partner to SBC in accordance with the National Air Quality Strategy are responsible for public transport provision as the Transport Authority. Residents can find their Surrey County Council representative Councillor here: Find Councillor - Surrey County Council (https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx) and can write the MP here; https://members.parliament.uk/member/4134/career.
  • Cycling: Free online and in-person cycle training in Spelthorne via Guided cycle rides once a week. Cycle leaders' course was delivered in Spring 2024 to train up more volunteers. Celebrated 10 years of Cycling for Health in 2024. Surrey County Council Bikeability training is being delivered in Stanwell Fields and Town Farm. This includes scaling up and offering extra tuition where needed as the schools haven't received training for several years. Bikes are being offered at the end of training
  • Walking: Avoid polluted main roads and take a Clean Air Route to get from A-B Journeys that are quicker to walk between stations. Visit surrey alliance website for more information. Walking for Health celebrated 20 years in 2023 and continues to offer at least three walks per week including evening and weekend walks. Volunteer leaders training course delivered in January 2024 to train up more volunteers.

Q3: Need to take the car?  

Think about how you drive. Small changes improving your driving style can save lots of fuel, significantly reduce wear and tear, and improve the life of your vehicle:  

  • Regular maintenance improves fuel efficiency by as much as 10%, plus underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, further increasing fuel consumption.
  • Reduce excess weight and wind resistance (caused by roof racks, open windows, and boot clutter).
  • Reduce engine idling - a modern engine is designed to be used 'from cold.' Warming up an engine whilst stationary wastes fuel and leads to undue engine wear and emissions.
  • Stopped at a level crossing? Turn off your engine to cut pollution. Engines should be turned off for waits of more than one minute, and can be turned on again without the accelerator, using almost no fuel in the process.
  • Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking. A aggressive driving can raise fuel consumption by 37%.
  • Change up gears as soon as possible.
  • Review trip data after a journey to learn how to improve driving style, or to reinforce eco-driving lessons already learnt. There are several apps and satnavs that can help with this. Only use such tools when it is safe and legal to do so. 

Q4: Have you considered switching to an EV?   

Consider an ultra-low emission vehicle such as a plug-in electric or hybrid vehicle. More options are becoming available each year, technology is improving the range of vehicles, running and servicing costs are much lower. With the adjacent extension of the London ULEZ consider replacing your vehicle with a ULEZ compliant vehicle.  

If you are considering switching to an EV car, investigate the options: - 

  • Vehicles scrappage schemes for your existing car
  • Leasing an EV
  • Buy a second-hand EV
  • Buy a new EV
  • How and where to charge your EV
  • Financial incentives
  • Cheaper to maintain and park
  • Cheaper to charge - up to a 1/4 or
  • less of what a traditional petrol or diesel car might cost
  • Government incentives
  • Compliance with ULEZ / LEZ may be eligible for a discount from Congestion Charge 

Q5: Do you suffer from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a respiratory condition? 

Sign-up for free air pollution airtext  at www.airtext.info/signup, to help those with respiratory conditions manage their health when air quality is poor. While air pollution levels in Spelthorne are generally low, on 20 to 30 days per year pollution levels are reached that can cause short term health symptoms for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.  

Defra provide pollution forecasts and alerts by email. You can subscribe for the alerts here: Subscribe to mailing list and bulletins - https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/subscribe 

The uBreathe app developed by Ricardo allows you to receive the latest Air Pollution levels on your phone: uBreathe (https://www.ricardo.com/en/news-and-insights/campaigns/ubreathe) 

People who register for the free services receive an email, or alert message, informing them of an expected elevation of air pollution regionally. This enables them to make choices about what they do and how they manage their medication, so they can stay in control of their own health.  

Q6: Are you aware of non-traffic sources of air pollution?  

In addition to air pollution from traffic there are further sources of air pollution that residents and businesses can help to reduce. As an uncontrolled combustion process bonfires are a source of particulate pollution and cause discomfort and distress to residents with respiratory illnesses, including those who are recovering from Covid-19. The Council offer waste disposal for domestic garden plant waste at the Shepperton Community Recycling Centre, Charlton Lane, Shepperton, TW17 8QA. 

Residents can subscribe to the garden waste collection service for disposal of garden plant waste see Garden waste. 

It is better for the health and wellbeing of the community and for local air quality, to use these facilities rather than burning waste on a bonfire. Due to weather and atmospheric conditions air pollution is often more severe during the winter months, when long range transportation of air pollution leads to circulation of air polluted with PM2.5 from the continent. Long range transport, together with pollution from local sources, can result in short term episodes of high pollution coinciding with the increased use of domestic boilers for heating and with the use of wood burners and solid fuel appliances which produce air pollution. In addition to these primary emission sources PM2.5 can also be formed from the chemical reactions of gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx: nitric oxide, NO plus NO2); forming secondary particles. In November there is an increase in air pollution levels related to celebrations around November 5th and winter festivals when fireworks are used, and bonfires take place. Air Quality monitoring data also shows poor air quality around the New Year's celebrations. Residents can help to reduce poor air quality during this period by minimising the use of fireworks, bonfires and solid fuel burning devices at home. 

Although wood burners and solid fuel fires and stoves are considered visually attractive, they can be a source of air pollution both within the home in which they are situated and to the atmosphere leading to poor air quality. There are actions that can be taken to minimise the pollution that they cause by following the advice issued by Defra which applies to smoke control areas here: Smoke control areas: the rules - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules) and by understanding the new restrictions on the sale of coal and wet wood for home burning: Restrictions on sale of coal and wet wood for home burning begin - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/restrictions-on-sale-of-coal-and-wet-wood-for-home-burning-begin) 

Q7: Are you aware of the importance clean indoor air quality? 

There is increasing scientific evidence that exposure to poor air quality with a potential to affect health takes place in the home. We spend a great deal of our time indoors both at work and in our homes. Consider how your indoor space is ventilated. Are ventilation systems being correctly maintained. When using an air purifier, it is important to select one of an adequate capacity for the size for the room and with a high Clean Air Delivery Rating (CADR). The CADR rating indicates the unit's ability to clean the air in each space, units with HEPA filtration typically achieve a higher CADR rating but they must be maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to be effective. Consider which windows you open for ventilation; do you have the option to open windows that do not face heavily trafficked roads. When cooking on a stove use the extraction hood, this minimises the build-up of substance from gas combustion including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and particulates in the air, and helps prevent damp and mould. Consider increasing ventilation when using candles and air fresheners or avoiding these products which contribute to indoor air pollution. Consider the use of low VOC paints when redecorating and low VOC cleaning products. Smoking endangers health of both the smoker and loved ones who are exposed to smoking related chemicals in the home and in vehicles. Seek help to give up smoking and do not smoke indoors and in confirmed spaces such as vehicles. Be aware that tobacco smoke persists in the home or vehicle furnishings long after the cigarette is extinguished. 

Q8: Where can I find information to replace my old boiler(s) with ultra-low emission boilers or heat pumps. 

Visit our Sustainability and Climate Change website at Sustainability and climate change

Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler. 

Check your eligibility and apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme 

Business / Organisation Behaviours  

Q9: What changes can your organisation make to improve poor air quality? 

  • Compile and adopt an air quality action plan
  • Replace your current vehicle(s) with electric vehicle(s) or other ultra-low emission vehicle(s)
  • Install electric charging points for use by your staff or visitors
  • Provide cycle infrastructure, such as storage for staff or visitors
  • Provide incentives to help your staff reduce air emissions.
  • Design in-house travel plans for your staff and encourage staff to use public transport where possible
  • Replace your old boiler(s) with ultra-low emission boilers
  • Encourage the uptake of Euro 6/VI vehicles by staff
  • Provide/encourage the use of electric pool cars/bikes
  • Adopt an electric cargo bike trial for local deliveries and business trips, discourage personal collections and re-time deliveries to quieter periods
  • Carry out an energy audit 

Important source of information  

Q10: Where can I find more information on air quality in Spelthorne and surrey in general? 

Home Energy Advice Team - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk) 

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/climate-change/what-are-we-doing/partnership 

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Last modified: 18/09/2025