Residents in Hitchin and across the county are being invited to share their views as councils work together on plans to improve air quality and create healthier communities.

Hertfordshire's councils and partner organisations have launched a public engagement exercise asking residents, businesses and community groups to provide feedback on efforts to tackle air pollution and identify priorities for future action.

The initiative forms part of the county-wide "Let's Clear the Air" campaign, which aims to encourage small but meaningful changes that can reduce pollution and protect public health. 

Air pollution is widely recognised as one of the largest environmental risks to public health in the UK, with links to conditions such as respiratory disease, heart disease and lung cancer. 

The engagement exercise is intended to bring together councils, health organisations, community groups and residents to explore practical ways of improving air quality across Hertfordshire.

The campaign highlights everyday actions that can help reduce pollution, including reducing unnecessary car journeys, avoiding vehicle idling, and making more use of walking, cycling or public transport.

Residents are also being encouraged to sign up for air-pollution alerts, which provide notifications when pollution levels are expected to rise locally.

Hitchin context

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The consultation comes as work continues locally to monitor and improve air quality.

Earlier this year, North Herts Council confirmed that two Hitchin locations – Stevenage Road and Payne's Park – no longer require Air Quality Management Area status, after pollution levels remained below national limits for more than five years. Monitoring across the district continues through a network of sampling locations and monitoring stations. 

Council leaders say collaboration between residents, businesses and public authorities will be essential to maintaining and improving air quality across the county.

People can take part in the consultation and find more information about Hertfordshire's clean-air initiatives through the council's online campaign pages.