The air quality in our borough is generally good. We carry out regular reviews to check current levels of pollutants and review predicted future levels against the government's health-based standards.
Air quality is monitored by taking readings on how much nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is in the air. To do this we have nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes located throughout the borough which are changed on a monthly basis.
Every year, a report on whether the air quality within the Woking area meets the national air quality standards. This is submitted to the Department for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for their approval.
Read our recent reports:
- Annual air quality status report 2022
- Annual air quality status report 2021
- Annual air quality status report 2020
- Annual air quality status report 2019
- Annual air quality status report 2018
- Annual air quality status report 2017
- Annual air status status report 2016
Air quality assessments
Areas not expected to meet the government's standards are declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Once an AQMA has been declared, we have to produce a plan to outline what steps we could take to get pollution down to within the government standard.
We currently have one AQMA within Woking borough along a section of Guildford Road, which was declared in 2017.
The AQMA for Anchor Hill in Knaphill was revoked in April 2023.
Read our latest AQMA reports:
- Order revoking air quality management area: Anchor Hill
- Air quality action plan: Guildford Road
- Air quality management area order: Anchor Hill
- Further assessment: Anchor Hill
- Air quality management area order: Guildford Road
- Detailed assessment: Guildford Road
More information on where AQMAs have been declared in Surrey and the country at large can be obtained from DEFRA.
airAlert
We are a member of a scheme called airAlert. This service warns local residents who have respiratory problems, such as asthma, COPD or emphysema, when air pollution in Woking is going to be high. This is a free subscription service.
By registering to receive alerts, you will receive either an email, text message or voicemail giving an advanced warning of high pollution levels.