UK heatwave latest: High air pollution alert triggered in London as first hosepipe ban of summer issued

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has triggered a “high” air pollution alert for the capital London on Wednesday on advice from forecasters at Imperial College, the third one this year.

He urged Londoners to stop their engines idling and avoid burning garden waste, which can contribute to high levels of pollution, and said details have been shared with London’s GPs and emergency departments, to ensure that they have crucial information to help vulnerable patients.

Deputy mayor for environment and energy, Mete Coban said: “Toxic air is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in London each year, which is why the mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, which includes launching the world’s largest clean air zone.

“We are urging Londoners to look after themselves during this period of extremely hot weather and elevated pollution levels, stop their engines idling, and refrain from burning garden waste – all of which contribute to high levels of pollution.

“It is really important we all do our bit to protect those who are most vulnerable as we continue working to build a safer and greener London for all.”

The temperature in St Athan, South Glamorgan did not drop below 20.3C overnight on Monday, marking a new record for June in Wales, the Met Office said.

In a post on X on Tuesday afternoon, the forecaster said: “Last night, parts of England and Wales didn’t drop below 20℃.

“In fact, Wales has provisionally recorded a new highest minimum temperature for June of 20.3℃ at St Athan, South Glamorgan.

“Tonight, more areas will remain around 20℃, leading to an uncomfortable night’s sleep.”

The Met Office said temperatures could reach a maximum of 39C on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East, with higher temperatures “possible”.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge, said: “The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East.

“Forecast temperature values are indicative and are subject to a slight range either side.

“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range.

“It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story.

“The other major factor is the high humidity which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure.”

Today was the hottest day of the year so far for Scotland and Northern Ireland with temperatures hitting 28.8C in Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire, and 26.4C in Katesbridge, County Down.

However, the hottest temperature of the day so far was recorded in England in Wisley, Surrey where temperatures hit 32.6C.

Some councils have made a change to their bin collection times due to the heatwave to make sure bin men won’t be working at the hottest time of the day.

Authorities including Cheltenham Borough Council, Somerset Council and Bristol Waste will start rounds from as early as 4am.

Councillor Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces at Cheltenham Borough Council said: “As a result of the hot weather our waste and recycling collections will start earlier than usual in the mornings.

“This is to help our crews and vehicles cope in the heat and ensure that they’re able to complete the scheduled collections. Residents are asked to put their recycling boxes, food caddies, refuse and garden bins out for collection at kerbside by 6am.

“Our crews will do their very best to be as quiet as possible whilst out collecting earlier in the morning.”

Extra water will be released into a Welsh river over the next few days to help protect fish from the heatwave.

Natural Resources Wales said that from midday on Monday it increased the amount of water discharged from the Llyn Tegid lake into the River Dee by two cubic metres per second – a rise of around 30%.

The agency said this release of extra water will be maintained for between two and three days and is timed to reach beyond Chester Weir when the hottest temperatures hit on Wednesday.

It will more than double the amount of water that would naturally reach this part of the river and will hopefully reduce stress on fish caused by low water levels and reduced oxygen levels linked to high temperatures, Natural Resources Wales said.

Team leader Robert Bissell said: “Prolonged periods of hot weather and low flows can place significant pressure on fish and other wildlife. By using the Special Release Allocation, we are able to respond quickly and provide additional support to the river environment when it is most needed.

“We will continue to monitor conditions closely and take further action where necessary to protect the River Dee and its wildlife.”

Buildings in the UK are not built to withstand the levels of heat caused by this current heatwave, David Dawson, professor in sustainability and resilience at the University of Leeds warned.

He explained that data shows by 2050, 92 per cent of homes could overheat.

In the July 2022 heatwave 2,200 people died, but by the 2050s this figure is expected to rise by thousands.

“Whatever the air temperature is, the ground or infrastructure is maybe 20 to 30 degrees higher than that, so there are design thresholds which will be breached more often,” he said, stressing that more green infrastructure is needed.

Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, expert in sustainability and resilience in buildings at the University of Nottingham explained that keeping windows and shutters closed in the heat of the day will help to keep your home cool.

“You need to keep the extra heat out, therefore you should be keeping windows closed. If you have shutters, use them, blinds and curtains will allow heat in and then trap it like the inside of a car. You can also use cardboard boxes to stop the heat from coming inside,” Prof Rodrigues said.

“It’s a bit of a counterintuitive way to do it because most people think it’s hot, let me ventilate. What I’m saying is it’s hot, do not ventilate,” she added.