Campaigners challenge Bromley’s clean-air plan

Published Thursday 8 October 2026

Check the mixed air-quality picture on our high streets and have your say before 18 October, plus this weekend’s events.

Top Update

Calls for stronger action on Bromley’s air pollution

Campaign group Mums for Lungs says Bromley’s clean-air plan needs stronger action on traffic and wood smoke. It published its criticism on Tuesday 6 October.

We checked the council’s figures. Average nitrogen dioxide pollution fell at Orpington High Street between 2024 and 2025, but rose at St Mary Cray High Street. Both sites were below the annual legal limit in 2025.

The council’s proposals include cleaner transport and cutting unnecessary engine idling. You can comment on the plan until midnight on Sunday 18 October.

Dates For Your Diary

Saturday 17 October, noon–1pm · free

Coffee recital at All Saints

Organist Francesca Massey plays Bach, Florence Price, Francis Pott and Iain Farrington’s Animal Parade at All Saints Church on Bark Hart Road. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served from 11am, the church is fully accessible, and there is a retiring collection. See the recital programme.

Monday 19 October, 11am–12:30pm · free

Fungi walk through Petts Wood

Local naturalist John Pelter leads a 90-minute walk looking for fungi in Petts Wood and Hawkwood. Meet at the woods entrance through the Hazelmere Road underpass; booking is not needed, supervised children are welcome and sturdy footwear is advised. See the walk details.

What's On

Thursday 8 October

Tog Fàire at Orpington Folk Club, 8pm · £8, cash only. Brighton duo Simon Stallard and Jake Tweddle bring Scottish and Irish songs, Gaelic singing, flute, whistles and guitar to Farnborough Social Club on Pleasant View Place. The club asks drivers to register their number plate inside within ten minutes. See the folk-club programme and venue details.

Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October

Autumn real ale and cider festival, Friday and Saturday noon–11pm; Sunday noon–5pm · £1 guests. Orpington Liberal Club on Station Road serves more than 30 real ales, ciders and perries, alongside craft keg, cans and bottles. Entry is free for club and CAMRA members or £1 a day for other guests; the bar takes cards only. Hartley Morris Men dance and sing at 7pm on Saturday. See the festival programme.

Saturday 10 October

Kindred Orpington nursery open day, 9:30am–1pm · free, booking required. Families can book a one-to-one visit to Kindred Nursery and Pre-School at 33 Knoll Rise, meet the team and ask about settling in, meals and childcare funding. Book one ticket per family. Book an open-day visit.

Walk and talk in Priory Gardens, 2pm–3pm · free. Join Orpington’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team for a community walk through Priory Gardens, starting at 2pm. Check the police team’s event listing.

Bollywood DJ night at Poverest Primary, 7–11pm · £9 standard including booking fee; under-10s free. DJ Nav plays Bollywood and regional tracks at Poverest Primary School on Tillingbourne Green. Families are welcome and food and drinks will be sold. See the organiser’s event and ticket options: standard tickets are £8 plus £1 booking fee, with student and group options also shown. Last entry is 10pm.

Sunday 11 October

Petts Wood 10K, 10:30am. The 19th Petts Wood 10K starts at Willett Recreation Ground and follows an undulating route through parkland, National Trust woodland and stretches of road. The race has a 90-minute cut-off; check availability before travelling because on-the-day entry is not guaranteed. See the race information.

Roadworks and Transport

No Charing Cross or Waterloo East trains this weekend: No trains run to or from London Charing Cross or Waterloo East on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. Trains between Charing Cross and Sevenoaks run to and from Victoria instead; on Saturday, Cannon Street–Orpington trains do not run. Ramsgate and Dover Priory services via Tonbridge also run from Victoria and call additionally at Orpington. Tickets are accepted on the Underground between the affected central-London terminals. Check the full weekend rail plan.

Cray Avenue lane closure scheduled until 13 November: A southbound lane on Cray Avenue is closed at the junction with Cray Valley Road for UK Power Networks works. The closure began on 30 September and is scheduled to remain until Friday 13 November. TfL says delays are possible.

Community Notices

Proposed Poverest Centre closure: have your say

Bromley Council proposes closing Orpington’s Poverest adult-education centre and using the site for affordable housing. Classes would move to other venues, mainly Kentwood in Penge. No final closure decision has been made.

The council’s assessment says Kentwood cannot accommodate all courses for learners with special educational needs and disabilities. Read the proposals and explain how they would affect you by Sunday 18 October.

Have your say on local family-centre services

Bromley Council wants feedback on services and activities at its Children and Family Centres, including Blenheim in Orpington and Cotmandene in St Paul’s Cray. If your family uses either centre, you can suggest improvements.

Complete the survey by Friday 23 October, or call 020 8461 7259 to request an emailed or posted copy.