Pollution at a St Albans City Centre location has been significantly reduced and is now within national limits, the Government has confirmed.
Air quality at the junction of Holywell Hill and London Road, by the Peahen Pub, had in the past shown high levels of nitrogen dioxide gas (NO₂) and particulate matter.
Both pollutants are potentially harmful to public health with NO₂ emitted from petrol-driven vehicles and particulate matter often caused by dust from tyres and brakes.
The Government designated the junction as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in 2004, indicating there was a concern.
Now the AQMA status has been lifted, showing air quality has been enhanced and reached acceptable levels for the past three years.
Improving the local environment is one of the Council’s priorities including encouraging active travel and campaigning against engine idling. Thanks to everyone whose combined actions, including the additional use of sustainable transport and electrical vehicles, have contributed to this welcome news for the District.
Two other AQMAs, one close to the M1 and the other near the M25, were revoked four years ago. It means that there are no longer any AQMAs in the District.
Say hello to Mohammed Khan – a former restaurant manager who has set up his own business at the Charter Market.
The entrepreneur has struck out on his own and founded Metro Squeeze, a drinks stall.
He offers healthy fresh juices, wellness shots and chocolate cups, all created on the spot from pomegranates, pineapple, apple, oranges, ginger, carrots and other ingredients.
Mohammed said: "I always wanted to be my own boss and don't regret taking the plunge. I am building up a loyal customer base and really like working in St Albans."
Our annual Christmas Cracker event will be held this year on Sunday 22 November, noon to 6pm.
Thousands of people are expected at the street party with the City Centre closed to traffic.
Among the attractions will be more than 100 market stalls, live music, street entertainers, a funfair, Santa's grotto and a community safe zone.
This is an inclusive, accessible event that we are organising with support from sponsors St Albans City Centre BID, Veolia, Everyone Active, Costa Coffee St Albans and John O'Conner Grounds Maintenance.
Great British Bake Off winner and celebrity chef Matty Edgell visited Beaumont School in St Albans - to launch the Veolia Orchard 2026 scheme.
The scheme has provided 95 fruit trees and 190 strawberry plants for green spaces across the District over the past four years.
Schools and community groups can now apply for this year's scheme until the deadline of Friday 20 November.
Successful applicants will receive five free trees or ten plants as well as soil conditioner made from recycled garden waste and an interactive session with planting experts.
Beaumont School was chosen for the launch as their pupils were recent winners of the Orchard Bakes competition.
They entered a chutney recipe inspired by the apples and pears grown in their orchard which was donated by Veolia, the Council's recycling and waste operator.
We are organising two drop-in events to mark International Day of Older People.
Everyone is welcome to attend the sessions where you can find out more information about issues such as safety, well-being and making connections with others.
Representatives from the Council, the Police, Herts Trading Standards, Everyone Active, Alzheimer's Society and other organisations will be there to offer help and advice. There will also be some fun activities on offer.
The events are on at the Caledon Centre, London, Colney on Monday 26 October, 10am to 1pm, and Redbourn Village Hall, Thursday 26 November, 10am to 11.30am.
Discover over 60 charities and community organisations at the St Albans Community Showcase.
You can learn about their impactful work, explore volunteer opportunities and get inspired.
There will be something to discover whether your interests lie in supporting vulnerable people, protecting the environment, promoting health and wellbeing or finding new ways to connect with others.
This free, drop-in event takes place on Saturday 24 October from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the Nave of St Albans Cathedral.
No tickets are needed—just pop in for a day of community spirit and inspiration.
Residents are invited to share their thoughts about polling stations across the District as part of a review.
The review will look at whether polling stations are conveniently located and accessible to all voters, including people with disabilities. Polling district boundaries, the areas that determine which polling station residents use, will also be looked at.
The public consultation runs until Friday 27 November, giving residents the opportunity to comment on the proposed arrangements.
Click on the button below for details of the proposed polling districts and polling stations and information on how to take part in the consultation.
The final arrangements, once agreed by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee in January, will be used for local elections on Thursday 6 May 2027.
Don't forget – some features of our online planning system are unavailable while it is upgraded.
The improvements are underway and will be completed by Tuesday 27 October. Until that date, planning applications on our website are only available in read-only mode and it is not possible to leave a comment.
Any updates or other changes made during this period will not be visible. New planning applications can continue to be submitted as normal. We will be able to issue decisions on pending applications from Thursday 29 October.
Consultation periods will be extended where necessary to ensure all statutory requirements are met.
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 Burglars often target properties that appear unoccupied, particularly during the darker afternoons and evenings following the clocks changing.
Making your home look occupied and ensuring it is properly secured can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary. Simple steps recommended by the Police include:
- Using timer switches, smart plugs or automated lighting to make your property appear occupied.
- Installing security lighting, doorbell cameras, internal cameras or monitored alarm systems.
- Securing side gates, sheds and outbuildings, and storing tools and ladders away.
- Keeping vehicles locked and removing valuables from sight.
Working for a local council is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to support communities, improve local services, and help shape the future of the places where we live and work.
Local government offers a wider range of rewarding careers whether you're an experienced professional, a recent graduate, returning to work, or looking for a new challenge. Other benefits include flexible working and opportunities to develop your skills.
There is a role for everyone from HR, Finance and Legal Services to Planning, Housing, Social Care and Customer Services.
Click the link below to view our current vacancies, find out more about these roles and explore other opportunities across the Council.
Get into the festive spirit with the Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care's Rudolph Run on Sunday 6 December in St Albans.
This fun-filled event is suitable for all ages and abilities and includes both a brisk 5km run and a shorter 1.5km fun run.
Your entry fee guarantees a pair of festive antlers and a finisher's medal to celebrate your achievement. You will also be raising funds for local hospice care.
Click on the button below to register today and be part of a joyful community event.
Photo: some of last year’s runners.
Still Lives, from Friday 23 October, Weston Gallery, St Albans Museum + Gallery, Free.
A major touring exhibition from The Hepworth Wakefield, Still Lives brings together more than 50 artworks by over 30 artists, spanning nearly 400 years of art history.
Image: Nicolaes van Verendael (1640–1691), Still Life with a Lobster, 1678. The Hepworth Wakefield (Wakefield Permanent Art Collection).
Verulamium Museum Coins Tour. Thursday 22 October, 2:30pm, Verulamium Museum
Verulamium Museum's curator and coin expert David Thorold leads an exploration of the Museum's remarkable collection of coins.
A Day in the LIfe at Verulamium, Monday 26 October, Verulamium Museum, Included with admission fee
See the ancient Roman City of Verulamium through the eyes of its residents as they go about daily life in the town, eating, working, relaxing and socialising. This exhibition brings together remarkable Roman artefacts from the Museum’s collection including signet rings, hairpins and pottery.
October Half Term at St Albans Museums, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October
Visit St Albans Museum + Gallery and Verulamium Museum for a week of creative workshops, from bag decorating, still life drawing and mask making to mosaic making and hands-on archaeology activities.
Click on the button below for details including booking information.
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St Albans Museum + Gallery has extended its weekend opening hours and is now open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, giving residents and visitors more time to enjoy our exhibitions, galleries, café and shop.
St Albans Healthy Hub, located at the Civic Centre, is the place to go for health and wellbeing advice and support.
You can get help with many issues including how to lose weight, quit smoking, cut down on alcohol, become more active and manage money.
The organisations involved include Citizens Advice, Communities 1st, Mind in Mid Herts and many more. You'll find more information on the Healthy Hub webpages.
Our leisure partner Everyone Active has organised women only yoga sessions in a friendly setting.
The classes are for women of all ages and abilities and are designed to improve physical health and mental wellbeing. They also provide an opportunity to make new friends.
The weekly classes are held on a Tuesday, 9.15am to 10.15am, at Greenwood Park Community Centre, Chiswell Green, and cost only £6 a session. They are part of Everyone Active's community outreach programme.
Step outside and see the seasons changing around St Albans District.
Hertfordshire County Council's free group walks are fun, social and a great way to explore your neighbourhood.
There are eight regular walks in St Albans and the surrounding area, including shorter, gentle walks around Highfield Park and Wheathampstead. There are also weekend and evening walking opportunities available for those seeking longer, brisker walks.
Friendly volunteers will ensure a suitable pace for the group. Everyone is welcome and no booking is required.
To find out more and locate a convenient walk, click on the button below. If interested in becoming a Health Walk volunteer, call the team on 01992 555888 or email: healthwalks.cms@hertfordshire.gov.uk
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