The Pilot

Brixton Road,
Lambeth.

The target location for the Clean Air Initiative's first pilot deployment. A high-pollution arterial road with existing independent monitoring infrastructure — the ideal location to prove the concept and measure real-world impact.

Why Brixton Road

The right street
at the right time.

Six reasons Brixton Road is the ideal location to demonstrate that the Clean Air Initiative works — and that the results can be independently verified.

📊
Proven high pollution levels
Brixton Road is monitored by the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) and consistently records NO₂ levels above UK legal limits. The baseline data already exists — making before/after impact measurement straightforward and credible.
🏛
Lambeth's air quality commitment
Lambeth Council has an Air Quality Action Plan and a history of DEFRA Air Quality Grant funding. There is an existing institutional appetite for practical, innovative air quality solutions.
💡
Dense lamppost infrastructure
Brixton Road has a high density of existing lampposts — ideal for demonstrating the corridor effect that makes the Clean Air Initiative most impactful. Enough posts for statistically valid results.
👥
High footfall and community benefit
Brixton Road is a major pedestrian route, market street, and bus corridor. The public benefit of cleaner air on this specific street is immediate, visible, and felt by thousands of people every day.
📰
Press and political visibility
A successful pilot on a high-profile London street generates national press coverage and political attention — critical for securing funding for wider rollout. Brixton is nationally recognised and internationally known.
✅
Independent validation available
Breathe London already has sensors in the Brixton area — providing independent third-party validation of pollution reduction that is essential for credibility with funders, councils, and the public.
Pilot Specification

What the pilot
will deliver.

ElementSpecification
Number of posts25–40 lamppost retrofits along a defined stretch of Brixton Road
DurationMinimum 12 months — capturing all seasons and weather conditions
Independent monitoringLAQN and Breathe London — before, during, and after installation. Monthly reporting.
Target outcome10–20% measurable reduction in NO₂ and PM2.5 at pavement level along the pilot corridor
Prototype cost£5,000–£15,000 for a single fully functional test unit
Pilot deployment cost£50,000–£100,000 for 25–40 posts including installation and monitoring
Public dashboardLive throughout pilot. Press launch at installation. Monthly data updates.
Approvals requiredLambeth Council highways, UK Power Networks load confirmation, street works permits
Planning permissionNot required — retrofit to existing permitted infrastructure (subject to site-specific review)
Roadmap

From prototype
to national rollout.

The path from a single test unit on one Brixton lamppost to a national clean air network — and the milestones that unlock each phase.

P1
Phase 1 · Months 1–8
Design, Build & Single Post Prototype
Mechanical design and fabrication of the retrofit tube, filtration cartridge, power system, and upgraded light head (same external appearance). Electronics and firmware development. Single prototype unit installed on target lamppost. 3–6 months of monitored operation. Independent air quality comparison against LAQN reference monitor.
Sleeve designFiltration engineeringElectronicsSingle post test
P2
Phase 2 · Months 8–20
Brixton Road Full Pilot Deployment
25–40 units installed along Brixton Road. Full Starlink mesh network operational. Independent monitoring by LAQN and Breathe London throughout. Public dashboard live. Press launch. Monthly data reports published. Results used to support national rollout funding applications.
25–40 postsStarlink mesh livePublic dashboardPress launch
P3
Phase 3 · Year 2+
National Rollout
Commercial manufacturing partner contracted. Volume pricing achieved. National rollout sales and business development. Additional city pilots in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol. Framework agreements with major street lighting contractors. International market scoping — EU deployment.
Commercial manufacturingMulti-city deploymentCouncil frameworksInternational
Funding Routes

Multiple complementary
funding routes.

The pilot combines grant funding (reducing investment risk) with private investment. Multiple funding routes are available and being pursued simultaneously.

£1m+
Innovate UK — Clean Air
Innovate UK's Clean Air Contracts programme funds practical, deployable clean air technology. The Clean Air Initiative is a strong candidate — infrastructure-first, immediately deployable, measurable impact.
Grant · Primary Target
£28m/yr
DEFRA Air Quality Grant
DEFRA allocates approximately £28m per year to local authorities for air quality improvements. Local authority co-applicant (Lambeth Council) would be required. Direct eligibility as an air quality intervention.
Grant · Local Authority
TBC
GLA Environment Programmes
Greater London Authority environment and climate programmes have funded urban air quality innovation. Direct application to GLA's Environment Team or via the Mayor's Resilience Fund.
Grant · London
TBC
James Dyson Foundation
The James Dyson Foundation funds practical engineering solutions to real-world problems. The Clean Air Initiative's use of filtration technology and engineering ingenuity is well-aligned with the Foundation's focus.
Foundation Grant
£100k–£200k
Seed Investment
Private seed investment sought for the prototype and pilot phases alongside grant funding. Target investors: clean technology funds, ESG-focused family offices, and impact investors. Reduces grant-dependency risk.
Private Investment
TBC
Corporate ESG Sponsorship
Corporations with net zero and ESG commitments can sponsor specific installations — funding lamppost retrofits in exchange for named association and carbon offset recognition. FTSE 100 target companies.
Corporate Sponsorship