Guildford Borough Council has joined airTEXT to send free warnings by text, email or voicemail when poor air quality is forecast, plus pollen and UV forecasts.

Guildford residents can now get free warnings before poor air quality arrives. Guildford Borough Council has joined the airTEXT service, which sends an alert when pollution in your area is forecast to reach moderate or high levels (Guildford Borough Council, 10 September).

The alerts come with health guidance, and the service also provides local three-day forecasts covering:

  • air quality
  • pollen counts
  • UV levels
  • air temperature

Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, lead councillor for regulatory services, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to stay informed about the air they breathe. By signing up for free airTEXT alerts, people can receive advance notice of poor air quality, along with helpful advice on how to reduce the effects of air pollution, pollen, extreme weather, and UV.

“It’s a simple service that can make a real difference, especially for people with heart or lung conditions, older residents and families with young children.”

What it means for you

Pollution episodes in this area tend to come with hot, still summer weather or cold, still winter spells, and can last two or three days. An alert the day before lets you plan: adjust outdoor exercise, pick a different route to work or school, or make sure medication such as an inhaler is to hand.

Sign-up is on the airTEXT website. According to the council, you can choose:

  • how the alert reaches you: text message, email or voicemail
  • which areas you want covered, so alerts can follow where you live, work or regularly visit

The council’s announcement is on its news pages.