Windsor and Maidenhead: Air quality sensors installed across borough

Monitors have been places in five locations, including Bridge Road in Maidenhead

Sensors that monitor air quality have been installed across a borough following concern from residents.

The monitors will track the levels of particulate matter in Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire.

Particulates can trigger heart attacks, strokes and cause lung cancer, according to the World Health Organisation.

A petition for the sensors received more than 2,000 signatures, the borough council said.

The five new locations had previously been highlighted as needing additional monitoring, according to the authority.

Sensors were installed at:

• Bridge Road, Maidenhead - between Ray Street and Oldfield Road

• Windsor Road, Bray - between Priors Way and the M4 flyover

• Clarence Road/Goslar Way/Royal Windsor Way Roundabout, Windsor

• St Leonard's Road, Windsor- near Prince Albert pub

• Wraysbury Road, Wraysbury - just south east of M25

Some studies have linked tiny air pollution particles from car exhausts to serious health conditions

The sensors will detect levels of PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide.

Researchers have identified particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - both of which come from vehicle exhausts - as particularly harmful.

Karen Davies, the council's member for climate, said residents' concerns about air quality were being taken seriously.

"We're currently meeting the government-set air quality objectives, however we need to do so much better as a borough," she said.

"With this additional monitoring, we'll be able to focus on particulate matter levels, which have a huge impact on air quality and public health."

Air quality readings from the sensor sites can be viewed on the Air Quality England website.

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