Percival Way is a main thoroughfare from Frank Lester Way, through the Luton Airport site, to Airport Way, the large roundabout which leads to the Central Terminal area, or out to the M1 motorway. Halcyon House sits on Percival Way, opposite the Tui Aircraft Maintenance hangar. On the roadside outside Halcyon House is a lamppost, and fixed to this lamppost, at a height of about 10 feet from the ground, was a small air quality monitoring tube, to track the levels of pollutants from the traffic.
A couple of years ago, the lamppost, which was very old, was replaced with a nice shiny new one. At the same time, some signage was added to the post at the same sort of height of the monitor. So, what happened to the monitor, which we believe was part of the airport wide monitoring system deployed by the Airport Operator?
Well, a nice new modern unit was installed, at the very top of the lamppost, just beneath the light cluster. This monitor is now showing pollutant levels have dropped spectacularly because once the winds have done their work. What pollutants get that high?
Why are we telling you this?
Air quality, Greenhouse Gas emissions, aircraft noise and surface access, are the four points that Luton Rising must monitor for a calendar year before it can apply to trigger the start of its Development Consent Order. And it started this process this month, January 2026.
Imagine our surprise, when we noticed on another lamppost, two along towards Percival House, on the road bend another of these monitors, once again at the top of the lamppost. This spot is even more windswept and open than the other, so air quality will be on a par with a Swiss alpine meadow.
One monitor being placed incorrectly is possibly, just poor installation and oversight?
Two smacks of something more sinister, and a conscious attempt to pervert readings. The picture at the top of this article shows the lamppost, with the monitor at the top. We will let you decide Dear Reader, what you think might be going on?
It is also worth noting, that under Luton Rising’s Green Controlled Growth Strategy, the keystone for Airport Expansion, aircraft emissions are excluded from monitoring.
They will make sure the vehicle emissions don’t ruin your health – but Aircraft Emissions can continue to wreck it.