Enfield uses an online map to identify and combat road pollution affecting rivers, benefiting residents and wildlife.
It uses data about pollution and rainfall. Surface area and traffic also matter. This helps predict pollution hotspots, then suggests solutions. Rain gardens can help before pollution hits rivers.
Lian Lundy’s research helped create the tool. She is a professor at Middlesex University. Road pollution is important to handle because rivers provide drinking water, recreation, and support wildlife.
The tool helps authorities manage rivers by showing where road pollution hotspots exist. London got the first online map in 2023. Money came from the Mayor, TfL, and the Environment Agency. The tool now covers about 2,400 miles of London roads.
A report found significant road pollution which harms the health of London’s rivers. John Bryden works at Thames21. He says road pollution is a big problem. Roads release over 300 kinds of pollutants from exhausts, brakes, and tires, and they want to stop it from reaching rivers.
Chinelo Anyanwu works for Enfield Council. She thinks the tool is very important because they work with Middlesex University for new tech to prevent pollution. It benefits residents and protects areas.