Oxfordshire residents are able to see real-time information about the air quality across the county thanks to a new website.
The Oxfordshire AirQuality website, launched this week and provides hourly updates about the level of harmful pollutants in the air and historic data, allowing residents to see trends.
It is the first time the information has been brought together on one easy-to-use website.
The website also provides information about the health impact of poor air quality and advice about how residents can reduce their own impact on air quality.
As well as being easy to use, the website has also been designed to make it as easy as possible to share the data. Throughout the site there are buttons to share the information on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and email.
The site has been developed by the Oxfordshire Air Quality Group, which consists of Oxford City Council and South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell District Councils.
It has been funded through a £20,000 grant from Defra’s Air Quality Grant Scheme after a successful bid by South Oxfordshire District Council.
Councillor John Tanner, Oxford City Council City Executive Board Member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said: “Not only does the new website provide crucial data for those suffering respiratory conditions, it also shows all residents why it is so important that they take action to reduce their own impact on our air quality.
“We are committed to tackling air quality head-on. Recent work has included requiring buses to produce low emissions; £250,000 of improvements to the city’s cycling network; and bids to a £65m Government grant pot to encourage the use of electric vehicles.”
Councillor Tony Harbour, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for Environmental Health, said: “This new website gives residents the chance to access the most up-to-date information about air quality in their area.
“Part of our job is to make sure that the district is a place where people want to live, work, and enjoy – and tackling air quality by working with local communities and organisations is part of that as well as making sure our residents are kept informed.”
Councillor Roger Cox, Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for Environmental Health, said: “Tackling air quality in our district means that everyone has to work towards making a difference.
“Not only will residents be able to see up-to-date information on the website, but they can get advice on how they can reduce their own impact on air quality.”
Councillor Tony Ilott, Cherwell District Council’s lead member for public protection, said: “Clean air is a concern for us all.
“This website, which has been created through effective partnership working between the Oxfordshire councils, will prove a useful tool in illustrating air quality throughout the county and raising residents’ awareness of air quality issues in their area.”
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