Brighton and Worthing take top spots as England's cleanest areas

The city finished third out of 55 urban spaces in the ENDS Clean Cities index, which takes over 30 environmental factors into account to determine the country’s cleanest areas.

Factors are split into five primary categories, including air quality, green behaviour, and water quality, with Brighton and Hove among those leading the way in encouraging environmental improvements.

Councillor Amy Heley, co-chair of the city’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “It’s great to see the progress we’ve made on air quality reflected in this report, but we know we have much more to do to truly make Brighton and Hove a clean air city.”

Worthing and Brighton took second and third place in the report

The city ranked sixth in the report’s air quality category.

“We’ve been really focused on improving public spaces, connecting our residents with nature, and making it easier for people to travel sustainably, and help drive down toxic emissions for a cleaner city,” added Cllr Heley.

Meanwhile, Worthing came second overall, even coming first in the index’s climate category.

The town has the second-lowest carbon dioxide emissions per capita, and the highest volume of renewable energy capability per 10,000 households in any of England’s primary urban areas.

It comes as the south coast dominated the top four spots in the list, as Exeter took the top spot as England’s cleanest city, while Plymouth ranking fourth.

Brighton came sixth in the clean air category, while Worthing took the top spot

The report is compiled by industry experts, analysing the large range of environmental factors, to encourage change around England.

Jamie Carpenter, editor of ENDS report, said: “The Index is intended to start a debate about the state of the environment in our biggest towns and cities.

“We need to ‘level up’ our cities so that all city dwellers can enjoy a clean and green living environment.”

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It comes as Brighton and Hove city council attempts to improve its air quality with the introduction of the new city centre park in Valley Gardens, which saw over 37,000 plants added to the area, covering more than one thousand square metres.

Further plans include the rewilding of Waterhall golf course, and creating a new woodland in Carden Hill by planting thousands of trees.