Air quality queries and complaints

Report a smoky vehicle

Report excessively smoky lorries and buses to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or by calling 0300 123 9000 option 7 (find out about call charges).

When reporting a smoky vehicle please provide:

• the vehicle registration number
• the type of vehicle (for example, a car, bus or lorry)
• the date, time and place that you saw the vehicle, and if possible,
• the name of the vehicle operator (from the visible logo or decal of the vehicle)

Motor vehicle idling hot-spots

Report motor vehicle idling hotspots by emailing environmental.protection@southwark.gov.uk

Report bonfires and smoky chimneys

You can report a smoke nuisance or smoky chimney by calling our 24/7 call centre on 020 7525 5777.

Smoke nuisances are dealt with by the visiting officer. 

We work seven days a week and aim to be with you in 60 minutes. This may vary due to seasonal demands. Please check the availability of the service at the time of your call.

The service is available:

Where the visiting officer sees visible smoke from a chimney at an identified address, they will forward the details to the Environmental Protection Team (EPT), who will aim to serve a notice under the Clean Air Act on the occupier of the property within 4 days.  There are some exemptions to the general requirement not to produce visible smoke from a chimney, and EPT will consider any claimed defence or exemption before deciding whether to take enforcement action.  

Page last updated: 05 September 2024