Your warm, cosy fire could be doing more harm than you think

Residents with real coal fires or wood burning appliances in their homes are encouraged not to burn or to strictly limit burning time this winter to help reduce dangerous air pollution in the borough.

Wood-burning stoves - even the most modern, eco-designed ones - and coal fires are a significant source of the pollutant PM2.5. These are tiny particles that once inhaled can increase the risk of serious health conditions like stroke, asthma, lung cancer, heart disease and dementia. This is particularly concerning during winter months for those with young children or underlying health conditions. 

Richmond upon Thames is, and has been for many years, a Smoke Control Area. Legislation enforcing Smoke Control Area rules has recently tightened, and you can be fined if you break these rules. This means that once a fire is established, even smaller amounts of smoke from Defra-approved appliances or burning authorised fuel may be against the law. This is because even these appliances can emit smoke, and if there are a number of these being used at the same time, they will contribute to local air pollution.

To reduce PM2.5 pollution locally, it’s important that residents either do not burn or use an exempt stove or open fireplace for special occasions only, not regularly. Even on special occasions, they are advised to ensure they always burn an authorised, dry fuel with the Ready to Burn logo. The label on authorised fuels will note that the product is suitable to burn in a Smoke Control Area. It’s important to use dry storage, as damp fuel, likely when any fuel is stored outside, may cause smoke.

Air Quality Action Plan

As part of our existing Air Quality Action Plan and our developing new one, we are working with residents to tackle local sources of emissions, improve air quality and make the borough a nicer place to be. We’ve partnered with 14 other local authorities to form the London Wood Burning Project, which aims to improve public awareness of the harmful effect domestic wood burning can have on your health.

Consultation sessions

We are hosting more consultation sessions for people who live, work or study in the borough to learn about and share their views on our draft Air Quality Action Plan for 2024 to 2029, which sets out the activities and initiatives proposed to meet our ambitious targets for the next five years.

The draft plan focuses on key locations and groups within our community. This includes areas where pollution levels are highest, where public exposure is most significant, and where vulnerable populations are at risk.

Join us at one of the upcoming sessions to learn about the plan and voice your views.

• Monday 9 December 2024 
• Time: 1 to 2pm
• Register for 9 December session

• Monday 13 January 2025 
• Time: 7 to 8pm
• Register for 13 January session

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, you can watch a recording of our Air Quality Action Plan webinar held on 14 November.

Online consultation

We are keen to hear what you think and what you would like us to focus on. Spare a few minutes and answer our online consultation survey, which is open until 20 January 2025.

If you would like a paper copy or another format of the survey, email consultation@richmond.gov.uk or call 020 8871 6000.