Boris Johnson urged to use C-charge cameras to catch polluting vehicles (London Assembly Liberal Democrats)

London Assembly Liberal Democrats <info@glalibdems.org.uk>

Boris Johnson urged to use C-charge cameras to catch polluting vehicles

May 25, 2010 3:00 PM
In Evening Standard

Boris Johnson was today challenged to improve the lives of millions of Londoners by bringing in a clean air zone in central London.

The Mayor has so far refused to back the plan to tackle air pollution which leads to more than 4,300 premature deaths in the capital every year.

Under the Liberal Democrat proposal the oldest, most polluting diesel vehicles would be banned from the city centre where pollution is worst.

Motorists would be offered financial help to upgrade these vehicles and congestion charge cameras would enforce the ban before the 2012 Olympics.

Mr Johnson has described the idea as "extremely interesting" but suggested it would be too expensive and that his own plans would work better.

His Air Quality Strategy, launched in March, includes measures such as suddenly closing roads when air quality is especially poor. Pollution hotspots include Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Marble Arch and Tower Hill.

The Mayor is also under pressure to publish the results of a study into the health effects of pollution in London.

Previous requests under Freedom of Information laws have been refused.

The Lib-Dems say a planned approach to air quality would be better than the Mayor's "rag bag of proposals".

Assembly member Mike Tuffrey said: "Poor air quality can reduce the lung size of our children and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma as well as increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks amongst older people.

"Such a huge health impact also comes with a huge economic cost, estimated at £2 billion. That is why I am now challenging the Mayor to adopt a clean air zone for central London."

Simon Birkett, of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, said: "This radical and well thought-through proposal is just what London needs… It contrasts starkly with the wishful thinking in the Mayor's draft Air Quality Strategy."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor's air quality strategy sets out detailed and comprehensive proposals on how London can meet and exceed European legal limits."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23837750-boris-urged-to-use-c-charge-cameras-to-catch-polluting-vehicles.do