A “small part” of the borough is not meeting its air quality targets.

Crooked Billet in Walthamstow and the surrounding area is registering nitrogen dioxide levels up to 50 per cent higher than nationally acceptable levels.

But all other parts of the borough are meeting air quality targets, according to findings presented at Waltham Forest Council’s Neighbourhood Scrutiny Committee meeting this week.

National Air Quality Objective targets state nitrogen dioxide levels should be no higher than 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air. But in Crooked Billet, 2017 readings went as high as 61 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

In spite of high nitrogen dioxide levels in parts of the borough, the council has reached the final of this year’s National Air Quality Awards for its Mini Holland cycling scheme.

David Carr, an air quality officer, wrote the report and its summary was presented to the committee by council officer David Beach.

In the summary, Mr Beach said: “Air quality in Waltham Forest is improving. Despite the improvement in air quality there is still much work to do to ensure that all residents are living in areas with good air quality.

“Tackling air pollution is vital to improve the health and quality of life of

people who live, work or visit the borough, especially those who are

vulnerable, such as children with asthma and older people with heart

and respiratory diseases.”

The council has said it is meeting its targets for levels of particulate matter, a type of emission from vehicles that has proven links with asthma and respiratory diseases, across the borough but wants to go further.

Mr Beach added: “The current objectives for particulate matter are being met, however as this pollutant is damaging to health at any level, it remains a pollutant of concern and as such our air quality management area designation remains in place.”

The authority has designated the whole borough as an air quality management area to monitor levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.

Some of the poorest air quality levels in borough are next to its busiest roads.

The council’s Mini Holland scheme is part of its objective to reduce emission levels throughout the borough.

Waltham Forest Council has been contacted for comment.