Call for urgent action as new report reveals 9,500 deaths in London because of air pollution

Reacting to news that London air pollution is estimated to have killed almost 9,500 people in 2010, Friends of the Earth’s London Campaigner Jenny Bates said:  “It’s a scandal that thousands of people die early every year because of London’s filthy air.

“It’s time to stop tinkering around the edges. A bold and urgent action plan is desperately needed to tackle London’s illegal air quality.

“A transport revolution is required to clean up the capital’s vehicles, cut traffic levels and improve public transport, cycling and walking.

“Building more roads and airport capacity would only make matters worse.”

Friends of the Earth is calling for stronger action to clean up London air quality, including the following:

• The Mayor must strengthen his Ultra Low Emission Zone plans – measures are currently too weak, due to come in too late, and cover too small an area.
• The Mayor must cut traffic levels by investing more in public transport, cycling and walking.
• Proposals for road-building such as the East London river crossings should be scrapped – new roads will only add to the problem.
• Pay-as-you-go driving across London should be seriously considered.
• The Government must redress the current incentive for diesel – last week’s budget was a missed opportunity.
• The Chancellor should introduce a scrappage scheme to encourage motorists to replace dirty vehicles with cleaner models.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. London becomes first world city to quantify the health effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) – London Mayor press release: “The study for the first time combined the PM2.5 and NO2 figures to create a total figure of 9,500 equivalent deaths attributed to air quality in 2010.”