Mayor of London promises action to tackle air pollution
Tue 05 July 2016
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The Mayor of London has responded with concern and promised action to newly published figures from the British Lung Foundation which reveal that those living in the capital’s most deprived boroughs are up to twice as likely to die of lung cancer, asthma and other lung diseases than those who live in more affluent parts of the capital.
In response, Sadiq Khan said: “This deeply concerning report shines a light on the huge health inequalities in London as well as how poor air quality is a ticking time-bomb for our health, particularly for Londoners in the most deprived parts of the city."
Following plans announced to clean up London's air last month, the Mayor is inviting Londoners to contribute to a survey on cleaning up London's air.
Proposals to improve the capital's air quality, which are expected to be detailed in a forthcoming full consultation include:
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Extending the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the North Circular Road and the South Circular Road and the possibility of bringing forward the introduction earlier than 2020.
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Implementing an extra charge on the most polluting vehicles entering central London using the Congestion Charge payment and enforcement system from 2017.
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Introducing ULEZ standards for heavy vehicles London-wide from 2020
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Giving the go-ahead for Transport for London (TfL) to start work on the costs and challenges of implementing a diesel scrappage scheme as part of a wider national scheme delivered by the Government
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Proposals to work with the government to tackle air pollution on a national and international level.
Speaking at the LowCVP's Annual Conference on 30 June the Deputy Mayor for Transport Val Shawcross said that the new London leadership will be proactive in tackling the threat to Londoners' health of air pollution, alongside that of climate change. She said that there would be a particular focus on tackling emissions from buses and she also previewed the proposals for the introduction of the new emissions surcharge ('T-charge') on the most polluting vehicles entering central London from 2017.
Almost 10,000 Londoners die every year because of polluted air according to the latest medical research. London does not currently meet the legal requirements for pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and new research published by the World Health Organisation last month showed that London has breached safe levels of pollutant particles (PM10).
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