New project will provide residents with ‘real-time’ air pollution data
A new project will provide residents in Neath Port Talbot, Wales with accurate ‘real-time’ air pollution measurements.
The aim of the study is to achieve a better understanding of air quality on a local level, this will allow the council to effectively identify pollution hotspots and then target interventions.
The initial pilot will see 70 digital sensors attached to lamposts in some residential areas in Port Talbot.
The sensors will be in areas ranging from Margam, spanning across to higher density monitoring centred around Taibach and from Aberavon to Sandfields and the periphery of Baglan Energy Park.
This project is part of the Swansea Bay City Deal programme and is delivered as part of the council’s Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy Strategy.
Vortex Iot will provide the sensors and the maintenance support for the project.
Cllr Leanne Jones, deputy leader and cabinet member for Community Safety and Public Protection said: ‘Because different areas have different levels of air quality at different times it is important for us to measure, monitor and analyse what is happening and where. That way we can identify trouble spots and take the right steps to ensure we all enjoy the cleanest air possible.
‘This project is in line with our smart and connected digital strategy, which aims to make sure that our county borough takes full advantage of the benefits of new technologies.’
Adrian Sutton, managing director and co-founder of Vortex IoT, added: ‘We are really privileged to be working with Neath Port Talbot Council and Swansea Bay City Deal on this pioneering project. I live in the area and our company has its roots in the Swansea Bay City region.
‘The opportunity to deliver an environmental impact to the community in which we are based and to contribute to improved air quality and decarbonisation is one we are truly excited about. We will go above and beyond to deliver value to the residents of Neath Port Talbot.’
Photo by Nabeel Syed
When you stand and look in the direction of the port Talbot steelworks I would have thought it’s plainly obvious where and when the air quality is going to be poor!. I’m sure the residents in the presiding area could have given the answer to the poor air quality without mounting all this high tech equipment on lamp posts and it wouldn’t have cost anything. My vehicle fails it’s Mot if it doesn’t meet the emissions requirements, so why can some establishments apparently flout this and it’s deemed acceptable.