Sutton Council has become one of the first London Boroughs to join the ‘Breathe London’ trial which gives it access to a network of air quality sensors and pollution data.

This will help significantly reduce the costs of sourcing accurate air pollution data for local projects and schemes, said the council.

As part of the InnOvaTe Project, the Council will combine Breathe London air quality and Vivacity traffic monitoring sensors to provide data which will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of different transport modes, movement patterns and their impact on air quality, and consider future schemes aimed at improving air quality.

Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of the Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, said: “Access to more accurate real time data will provide insights of overall air quality and congestion levels in the borough, and help build clear a picture of the environment and health of our schools and communities. We are committed to Sutton being a green borough, and we hope that as a result of the air quality monitoring, we will be able to develop schemes that can deliver an improvement in air quality and an increase in sustainable travel, leading to safer and healthier streets.”

Initially, sensors will be installed at Muschamp Primary, All Saints Carshalton Primary, St Philomena’s / St Mary’s, Harris Academy Carshalton, Cheam Park Farm, St Elpheges Catholic Infants & Juniors and Cheam Common Junior & Infants Academy. The Air Quality monitors will be located near the entrance of the schools and will monitor real time data.

Breathe London was launched by the Mayor of London at the end of last year, allowing more than 100 air quality sensors to be installed at hospitals, schools and other priority locations to aid London’s green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.