The MESS AGM will take place at 730pm on 12 May 2025 at the Assembly Hall, Tower House School.

The AGM will be preceded by a talk on Richmond Council’s award-winning Air Quality Action Plan by Jason Andrews and Carol Lee of the Council’s Air Quality Team.

Air quality has been a major issue for us locally and for MESS.  The Mayor of London has been determined to reduce its impact by the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) initially in central London, then within the North and South Circular Roads and then finally within the M25. 

Londoners have been strongly encouraged to replace their petrol-fuelled cars with electric vehicles and to use public transport and bicycles where possible.  The result has been a significant reduction in air pollutants, in particular nitrogen dioxide, to below European limits.

So why do we need to hear this talk?  It is because there is some unfinished business.  When the speakers presented the award-winning Air Quality Action Plan to the Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting on 8^th April, the Committee made the following decision: 

• adjust the Plan to include a new pilot programme on non-exhaust vehicle emissions,
• investigate options to reduce impacts on nurseries including planning controls,
• emphasise the council’s continued opposition to Heathrow Airport Expansion, and
• further target engine idling including minor changes to improve readability. 

The speakers will update us on progress on these matters since 8^th April.  The talk will last for only 20 minutes followed by Q&A and then the AGM which will be reasonably short.