Chipping Norton Air Quality Zone to Be Lifted After Pollution Falls

Air pollution on Chipping Norton’s High Street and Horsefair has stayed within national limits for at least three years running, and the special air quality zone covering them since 2005 is set to be lifted, West Oxfordshire District Council says.

Chipping Norton and Witney were both declared Air Quality Management Areas in 2005 because of high levels of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant mainly from vehicle exhausts. The council’s monitoring now shows levels in both towns have been below the national threshold for at least three consecutive years, which under government guidance means the zones are due to be revoked.

The council puts the improvement down to several things: fewer journeys after the Covid pandemic, cleaner engines, and more people driving electric and lower-emission vehicles.

Cllr Alistair Wray, the council’s executive member for environment, said: “It’s really positive news that air quality has improved in Witney and Chipping Norton. Cleaner air is better for everyone’s health, particularly children, older people and those with breathing problems. But we know there is still more to do.”

What happens next

The zones won’t disappear straight away. Over the next 12 months the council will write a new air quality strategy for the whole district, replacing an approach that has focused mainly on the two towns, and it will hold a public consultation as the strategy is developed. The two zones will be formally removed once the strategy is adopted, and monitoring in Chipping Norton will carry on.

The council points out that its powers over the main cause of the pollution are limited: decisions about roads and traffic in Chipping Norton are made by Oxfordshire County Council.

More news and what’s on in the town: Chipping Norton.

Details checked on 15 November 2026 using West Oxfordshire District Council’s announcement of 12 November 2026.

See more of our stories in Google: add us as a preferred source.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington runs What's up, Cotswolds? with Lydia Mee, alongside What's up, Stratford? and What's up, Warwick?: independent guides to what's on, local news and the practical things.