Whilst air quality has improved significantly in recent decades, there are some areas where local action is needed to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution.

Conclusions and Priorities

London Borough of Bexley continues to implement its Air Quality Action Plan to improve air quality and protect public health. During 2025, the Council maintained its automatic monitoring network, reviewed 18 planning applications requiring Air Quality Impact Assessments, and ensured that air quality mitigation measures, including Air Quality Neutral and Non-Road Mobile Machinery requirements, were considered through the planning process. The Council also continued to promote Smoke ControlArea requirements, support the airTEXT air pollution alert service, and integrate air quality considerations into transport and development planning.

A key focus of the Council's work is reducing emissions from transport. During 2025-2026, Bexley had provided 580 publicly accessible on-street electric vehicle charging points and 29 publicly accessible off-street charging points, supporting the transition to low-emission vehicles. In addition, four new zebra crossings and 66 new secure residential cycle parking spaces were delivered to encourage walking and cycling and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Air quality awareness also increased through continued participation in the airTEXT alert system, with subscriber numbers increasing during the year.

The Council will continue to prioritise measures that reduce emissions from road transport, new development, and domestic fuel burning, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring to track progress. In addition, the Council has identified commercial cooking emissions as an emerging area of focus. Preparatory work is programmed within the Air Quality Action Plan to develop an inventory of commercial cooking extraction systems across the borough.

This will help identify locations with a high concentration of cooking emissions, prioritise inspections, and support future actions to ensure extraction systems are operating effectively and minimising their impact on local air quality. Furthermore, Public participation remains important, and residents are encouraged to choose sustainable travel options, avoid unnecessary engine idling, subscribe to airTEXT alerts, and support local initiatives that improve air quality.

Although air quality objectives are currently being achieved, Bexley remains committed to further reducing pollution levels and working towards cleaner air and improved public health across the borough.

How to get Involved

Improving air quality is a shared responsibility between the Council, residents and local businesses. The London Borough of Bexley continues to consider air quality through planning, transport and public health activities, while providing information and advice to help residents reduce their exposure to air pollution.

Residents can help improve local air quality by walking, cycling or using public transport where possible, avoiding unnecessary engine idling, and reducing smoke from bonfires and domestic solid fuel burning.

Find out more about community safety and the environment

Bexley also supports the airTEXT alert service, which provides free air pollution forecasts and alerts. Residents can view local air quality information and find out more about actions being taken to improve air quality through the UK-AIR Local Air Quality Dashboard, London Air and airTEXT.