In response to the European city air pollution ranking 2015 report, which grades the efforts of 23 major European cities to improve air quality Friends of the Earth’s air pollution campaigner, Jenny Bates, said: “While London has taken some positive steps it is not set to meet EU legal limits until sometime after 2030, and Glasgow – which is not due to meet those limits until 2025 – has seen its ranking worsened.
“Boris Johnson and the government’s plans for cleaning up the UK’s filthy air are not nearly strong enough to protect our health from this largely invisible killer responsible for the premature death of tens of thousands a year across the country.
“Much more urgent action is needed to cut traffic levels by encouraging cycling and investing in a modern public transport system – and plans to add more traffic and pollution with new road-building must be scrapped.
“However with air pollution from Europe contributing to the recent smog, the government must support strong new EU-wide controls on air pollution emissions so that all of Europe cleans up its air.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- European City air pollution ranking 2015 – best practices for clean air in urban transport.
- EU Observer article about France and UK action to weaken EU air pollution law.
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