Air quality programme to expand after London trial

Delivery firm DPD has announced plans to expand an air quality monitoring programme in cities across the UK.

Mobile air quality sensors are already on DPD vans in London and in shops close to schools and play areas.

By the end of May, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff will join the initiative, creating a network of more than 400 sensors, delivering 1.5m pollution readings a day.

The sensors take readings every 12 seconds, with information available to local councils to help in their policy making.

Olly Craughan, of DPD, said:

"Typically, air quality monitoring has just been based on fixed positions, whereas we are mobile and cover the whole of a city at different times. We will be providing real-time, breathing-level readings that could help improve air quality for millions of people.

"The initial Covid lockdowns really highlighted the issue of air quality, as people got used to quieter roads and cities. We hope that local authorities, other key stakeholders and academics can utilise this data to help inform further research and local decision making.''