Welcoming today’s report [Tuesday 14 July] from the London Assembly Environment Committee calling for tougher action to tackle air pollution in the capital, Friends of the Earth’s London Campaigner Jenny Bates said: “Thousands of Londoners die prematurely every year as a result of our illegal air pollution. It’s a disgrace that a first class city should have third rate air quality.
“The London Mayor and Government must take urgent steps to help end the scandal of London’s filthy air by tackling traffic levels and ensuring that our vehicles are cleaner.
“More must be done to encourage people to leave their cars at home, and greater investment is needed in better public transport, cycling and walking facilities.”
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. The new report by the London Assembly Environment Committee – ‘Driving away from diesel: Reducing air pollution from diesel vehicles’- is published today.
For press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.