Daytime garden bonfires could soon be banned in Croydon.

That is because Croydon Council is meeting on Monday (November 20) to discuss what should be done to tackle the air pollution problem in town, with bonfires an area of concern.

The council received nearly 600 responses from a two month long consultation on its draft air quality plan with 72 per cent agreeing council should consult on extending its smoke-free zone as well as 84 per cent wanting more done against drivers who leave their parked cars running.

Councillor Stuart King said: “Air pollution affects the health and well-being of everyone in Croydon, especially the vulnerable, so this plan sets out what the council is doing about it over the next five years.

“Improving the capital’s air quality is a huge challenge, so here in Croydon we’re tackling it in a range of ways from cutting diesel fumes to extending the smoke control zone to cover the entire borough.”

Proposals going before Monday’s meeting include:

• A future consultation asking the public if they want a garden bonfire ban from 6am to sunset

• Upgrading the council’s fleet to reduce the use of diesel vehicles

• Encouraging private hire drivers to go diesel-free by 2025

• Getting construction sites to use cleaner hybrid generators rather than diesel ones

• Installing greener boilers in council-owned buildings

• Recruiting volunteers to promote cleaner local air quality, including at hotspots

• Green screens outside new schools on busy roads

• Continuing the Clean Air 4 Schools project with five schools a year