Other projects

Air quality website and citizen science in Highbury and Mildmay

We are working on an engagement project in the Highbury and Mildmay wards to increase everyone's understanding of air quality in the local area, help the community to better protect itself, and take action to improve air quality.

As part of this air quality project we are:

• adding more air pollution monitors across Highbury and Mildmay - see where they are on our monitoring page
• creating a new website showing real-time air quality data alongside longer-term air quality monitoring - the first time we have released this sort of data - to help increase understanding of air quality in the area with quicker and clearer results
• holding citizen science workshops for community groups and schools including practical sessions with monitors and sensors, information about air quality, reducing exposure or emissions and finding out how to analyse and present this information to others
• hosting events promoting the new website and increasing understanding of air quality.

If you have a link to the Highbury or Mildmay wards, here's how you can get involved in the project.

Sign up for and take part in a citizen science workshop and become an air quality champion - workshops take place on:

• Monday 20 January 2025, 10am to 1pm, at Highbury Library
• Wednesday 22 January 2025 - Clean Air Night. Location to be confirmed soon.
• Monday 3 February 2025, 1pm to 4pm, Mildmay Community Centre

We are working with our partner CAG Consultants on promoting these workshops.

You can also:

• ask for a demonstration of the website or for an air quality event to be held near you
• use the new website when it is launched to find out more about air quality in the area
• let us know your thoughts by completing our survey.

If you would like to know more about air quality or want to participate in our citizen science initiative, provide your contact details below or contact us on pollution@islington.gov.uk quoting 'Highbury / Mildmay Air Quality Scheme' in the subject field. 

If you want to know more and to give feedback on our proposals, read our engagement page and take our survey.

Anti-idling

Idling is when a driver leaves an engine running when it is standing on the side of the road. Idling produces pollution and is against the law. Local authorities are able to enforce the switching off of engines using penalties. Islington Traffic Management Order enables our Civil Enforcement Officers to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) at £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days) if caught idling. Reports of engine idling can be made to our Enforcement Hotline 020 7527 7624.

Anti-idling events are also held across the borough, encouraging drivers to turn off their engines to help improve local air pollution. Islington is also part of a coordinated London wide scheme tackling idling. For more information visit the Idling Action London website or email pollution@islington.gov.uk.

London wood burning

We are leading the London Wood Burning Project, with Camden Council, on behalf of 17 other London boroughs. The project aims to increase awareness about the impact of burning wood at home on air pollution and health. Wood and solid fuel burning in stoves and fires is one of the largest sources of PM2.5 (small particulate matter) air pollution.

To find out more about the project and the impacts of burning visit the London Wood Burning Project website.

Schools

We are working with schools in a range of ways including:

• monitoring air quality outside every school in the borough
• engagement activities with the school community
• School Streets road closures.

Events

We celebrate events that raise awareness of the impacts of air pollution and actions everyone can take to improve air quality or reduce exposure to pollution.

• Car Free Day, held on 22 September every year, an attempt to reduce heavy car usage. This has involved street closures, school and community events across the borough.
• Clean Air Day, a national air quality awareness day held on the third Thursday in June. Previous events in Islington include a clean air walk, school engagement activities, cleaner vehicle trials and information in local pharmacies. 

AirText

We are the lead borough for the pollution alert system airText which helps people prepare for times when air quality is poor and pollution is high. Sign up to get your alert.

Eco Mooring Zone

We are working to reduce emissions from the Regents Canal which runs through the south of the borough. We are working with the Canal and River Trust and boaters to support the Eco Mooring Zone. This allows boats to use with electric power points.

For more information about air quality work in the borough, email pollution@islington.gov.uk.