Monitoring of pollution levels
The following air pollutants are monitored in Wirral:
- Nitrogen Oxides (NO2 and NO)
- Ozone (O3)
- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
The air pollution limit values and target values that must be complied with are outlined in the National Air Quality Objectives.
Air Quality Strategy
View Wirral's Air Quality Strategy 2024 to 2028
Annual Status Report
Each year the council presents an update on local air quality by submitting an Annual Status Report (ASR) to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The most recent ASR reports can be viewed below.
The PDF files below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.
- Annual Status Report 2025 (PDF, 9.2MB)
- Annual Status Report 2024 (173 pages, PDF, 7.9MB)
- Annual Status Report 2023 (PDF, 11.2MB)
Air quality monitoring locations in Wirral
Wirral Council undertakes monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide levels using passive diffusion tubes. There are also Automatic Urban Rural Network (AURN) monitoring stations located in Birkenhead and Tranmere;
find out more about the monitoring station in Tranmere
find out more about the monitoring station in Birkenhead
view a map of Nitrogen Dioxide monitoring locations in Wirral
Latest air quality information
View current air pollution forecasts and measured data throughout the UK on GOV.UK
Smoke from vehicles
If you have a complaint about smoke from a commercial diesel vehicle - like a bus or lorry - contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Report smoke from taxis to Wirral Council's Licensing Section
Related content
Breathe Better – advice on actions to reduce exposure to pollution
Domestic Burning - advice for residents
Permitted process – emissions to air, land and water