WALTHAM FOREST: Plans to tackle air pollution unveiled

3:28pm Monday 29th March 2010

By Sian Harrison

LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to reduce pollution across the capital.

The strategy 'Cleaning the Air' contains measures to reduce pollution and meet European Union (EU) targets by next year and 2015.

Proposals include introducing vans and minibuses to the Lower Emission Zone (LEZ), putting age limits on taxis, guidance for reducing dust at construction sites and energy efficiency programmes to reduce emissions from heating buildings.

The announcement comes a week after a cross-party Environmental Audit Committee found air pollution is linked to early deaths.

The report found pollution could shorten the lives of up to 50,000 people nationally, with between 3,000 to 5,000 affected in London.

The Government faces fines if it fails to meet EU limits imposed on particulate matter by next year and on nitrogen dioxide by 2015.

Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "We welcome the Mayor's proposed air quality strategy for London.

"Any initiative which reduces harmful emissions for Londoners is a positive step forward, particularly for the 1 in 7 affected by lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, as it can worsen their symptoms.

"Improving the air we breathe should mean fewer premature deaths, reduced hospital visits, and fewer GP consultations for people with respiratory disease."

Alan Andrews, lead lawyer for environmental law charity ClientEarth’s CleanAir programme, said: "The Mayor has acknowledged that 4,300 Londoners die prematurely each year due to air pollution, which should finally bring some much needed focus to an issue that has been sidelined for too long.

"However, despite some positive steps, such as a commitment to improving electric vehicle infrastructure and tackling emissions from taxis, a shortfall of ambition and commitment persists, and Mr Johnson still fails to fulfil his mayoral duties set out in the Greater London Authority Act.

"In particular, greater efforts are needed to tackle levels of nitrogen dioxide on London’s roads. Even if all the measures in the strategy are implemented, busy roads throughout London will still greatly exceed legal limits in 2015, risking massive fines and ozone episodes during the Olympics."

The strategy can be viewed at www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/vision-strategy/air-quality