Air quality and health

Read about our ongoing partnership work to address air quality issues and learn how to get air quality alerts, forecasts, and reports.

Latest update - May 2026: The Lewes Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2030 is now available to download below

Poor air quality has been linked to respiratory health effects. The focus for outdoor air quality in the UK is on the prevention and minimisation of adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

To learn more about air quality levels and how you can help us to minimise pollution in your area, please visit https://www.sussex-air.net/

Lewes Air Quality Management Area

In 2005, an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared in Lewes town centre for nitrogen dioxide. Further details about the actions we are taking to improve air quality in Lewes can be found in the air quality reports and documents section below.

Newhaven Air Quality Management Area

In 2014, an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared for the Newhaven gyratory (A259) for nitrogen dioxide. Further details about the actions we are taking to improve air quality in Newhaven can be found in the air quality reports and documents section.

Lewes Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2030

The Lewes Air Quality Action Plan outlines the actions Lewes District Council and partners will deliver between 2026-2030 to reduce concentrations of air pollutants and exposure to air pollution thereby positively impacting on the health and quality of life of residents and visitors in the district. The document sets out how the council will exercise its functions to achieve the relevant air quality objectives.

In 2025, Lewes District Council carried out a public consultation over the draft plan.

The plan was reviewed in light of comments received, then submitted to Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) for approval. in May 2026, the Lewes Air Quality Action Plan was approved, and the action plan will now be implemented until 2030.

Download the Lewes Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2030 (PDF, 1 MB)

Sussex air quality reports

To access air quality reports for Lewes district and Eastbourne, visit the Sussex-air website.

Eastbourne Borough Council continues to take the issue of air quality and the impacts on human health extremely seriously and works collaboratively with other agencies to meet air quality objectives. The council works with Clean Air Eastbourne, Eastbourne Friends of the Earth, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce and Bespoke to form the Eastbourne Air Quality Partnership to improve air quality across the borough. The minutes and agendas for the partnership can be found on the Clean Air Eastbourne website.