Real-time air quality data to help Kent and Medway policy makers make informed decisions

Information featured on a new Kentair website will provide real-time access to air quality statistics for the 1.8 million residents of the region, and it will also be used to help shape future policies to improve Kent and Medway’s air quality.

Global energy and environmental consultancy Ricardo, which was ranked the UK’s top environmental consulting firm for air quality in 2020, is working with the Kent and Medway Air Quality Partnership to provide services to the Kent and Medway Air Quality Monitoring Network (KMAQMN).

People living in the area now have access to the visibility of air quality in their area, as well as background information and links to related services, and a forecasting service that allows them to sign up for email pollution forecast alerts with information on how forecasted pollution will affect them.

Project manager Ben Davies, a senior consultant at Ricardo, said: “We are delighted to be working with KMAQMN again. Part of Ricardo’s strategy is to give high quality data dissemination to local authorities, ensuring the standard of the data is maintained. This allows Kent and Medway to give the best choices for individuals on a daily basis and policy makers in the long term. The quality of the air we breathe is important and we plan to bring all this data to everyone at the touch of a button.”

Ricardo, which delivers air quality management across a number of regions of the UK, will provide a full consultancy service, including data management, data checking and support, data ratification, annual site audits and a recently launched website that will provide a hub for residents and air quality professionals.
Real-time public health alerts will be issued to KMAQMN partnership members allowing them to inform the public as necessary and take appropriate action.

Karin Grey, Chair of the Kent and Medway Air Quality Monitoring Network, said: “We welcome Ricardo as the new managers for our network. Air quality matters to our residents, businesses and visitors to our county. Ricardo will be very important in supporting us by ensuring we are able to provide high quality, easy to access, informative air quality data. This will enable effective strategies to be developed and encourage behaviour change across the county to improve the air we breathe.”