Air quality

We have been monitoring air pollution since 1993. In 1997, we joined the Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership. This is a county-wide initiative to share information, knowledge, and data. It helps with long-term planning across Kent. It also allows us to track local pollution trends over time.

A Kent and Medway air quality website has been set up to give the public clearer information about local air pollution.

The council checks air monitoring results at 42 sites across Thanet. We compare this data against national air quality targets for specific pollutants. Every year, we send an Annual Status Report to Defra for review.

Air pollution comes from many different sources. It can also travel long distances. Pollution from both far away and nearby can build up. This can cause high levels of pollution in one specific area.

Poor air quality is the biggest environmental health risk in the UK. It shortens lives and causes long-term illness [Government Clean Air Strategy 2019].

Thanet has good air quality overall. However, pollution levels can be high at certain times of the day in some areas. This happens mostly along busy roads.

People with breathing or lung conditions should take extra care. Defra’s UK-Air website has lots of helpful information. You can find pollution forecasts and health advice there.

Data in our annual status reports show that pollution has not gone above national health targets anywhere in the district for several years. Pollution levels are continuing to drop, and this trend looks set to continue. This drop is being helped by tougher rules for vehicle exhaust standards. It will also be helped by the upcoming ban on selling new petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars and vans in 2035. The ban on selling hybrid vehicles will also take effect from 2035.

To support these changes, the government is investing £1.3 billion. This money will improve electric vehicle infrastructure (like charging points) across the UK.

Thanet does not have any Air Quality Management Areas. This is because pollution levels have consistently stayed well within national targets.

We continue to monitor the air across the district to ensure air quality remains high. The council has also adopted its first Air Quality Strategy. This plan sets out a proactive approach to protect and improve our air. It is designed to look after residents, businesses, and visitors alike.