Lewisham Council has received £132,532 in funding from Round 4 of the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund which they intend to use to install a Roadvent in the borough.
This would represent the first installation of a Roadvent system outside testing and demonstration sites although, at the same time, East Herts Council are also expressing interest in the technology.
The Roadvent consists of two parallel, linear slot drains which capture and clean emissions like a vacuum cleaner and claims to reduce roadside pollution exposure by up to 91%.
As well as exhaust gases, it traps non-exhaust emissions such as brake dust and tyre particles. The dirty air is passed through an electrostatic precipitator, activated carbon and HEPA filters and, once the process is complete, clean air is released from the top of a roadside air cabinet.
Lewisham Council, who will match the Mayor’s funding, are currently collaborating with Pollution Solution, the company behind Roadvent, to introduce the measure on a road near a school. The aim being to decrease air pollution and improve the well-being of school children and parents during their commute.
The specific location has not yet been identified, but the Council aims to have it in place by Autumn.
Councillor Louise Krupski, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Action said: ‘We are thrilled to be working with Pollution Solution to install a new roadvent in the borough. As a council, we recognise the importance of reducing air pollution in our area. Lewisham is steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our residents, particularly our school children, by ensuring they are exposed to cleaner air each day. Initiatives like the installation of a Roadvent not only address immediate concerns but also contribute to our long-term vision of creating a greener, healthier Lewisham for generations to come.’.
With the support of Paul Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Swansea University and UK Clean Air Champion, academic research will be conducted to measure the impact of the project and improvements in air quality, cost benefits and societal benefits.
Meanwhile, an air pollution blackspot in Bishop’s Stortford could also be cleaned by Roadvent technology in the near future.
East Herts Council who are responsible for air quality in the area are talking to Hertfordshire County Council (responsible for highways) about the possibility of installing a Roadvent at Hockerill junction.
The County Council confirmed: ‘We are investigating the possibility of installing a pollution filtering system at the Hockerill junction as one contribution to improving air quality at this location.
‘This work is at an early stage, although initial surveys suggest this might be a suitable location. There is a lot of work to be done before any system can be installed, but it is something we are actively exploring.’