Air quality monitoring to increase at Southampton port

The operator of Southampton’s major shipping terminal, ABP Ports, has announced an investment in air quality monitors to analyse pollution data from across the Port.

The announcement follows the launch of ABP Southampton’s air quality strategy, setting out measures being undertaken to ‘accelerate improvements’ in air quality around the port.

ABP Southampton is to increase air quality monitoring on site

Port of Southampton is a major transport terminal for the South of England, handling up to 14 million tonnes of freight each year as well as contributing around 6.9% of the NO2 emissions monitored within the city.

The port operator said that it currently assesses data from existing monitors installed around the port with up to a year’s worth of data available. It is hoped that introduction of additional monitors ‘at key locations’ will strengthen existing data, giving a ‘clearer view of where measures could be implemented to further improve air quality in the city’.

ABP Southampton Director Alastair Welch said: “This investment is just the latest part of our plan to help deliver cleaner air in the city. We’re keen to build an even better understanding of air quality in and around the port.

Port of Southampton is one of the largest sea freight and passenger terminals in the country

“Air quality has steadily improved across the UK over the last 30 years and we’ve recently set out our plans to accelerate these improvements to help Southampton reach targets set by the Government for nitrogen dioxide emissions.

“We’re working with the council to better understand their data and installing additional air quality monitors will help us build an even better picture of air quality here at the port.”

ABP Southampton plans to publish data from the first set of monitors installed later this year.

Clean Air Zone

Proposals have been outlined by Southampton city council which could potentially see the introduction of a ‘Class B’ CAZ in the city (see airqualitynews.com story).

This would see HGVs, buses and taxis that do not meet the Euro VI emissions standard could be charged up to £100 per day to enter the zone, including roads around the Port, in a bid to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions.

ABP has said it opposes a ‘blanket charge’ for HGVs across the city.

Related Links
Southampton CAZ consultation
ABP Southampton Air Quality Strategy