Westminster's dirty air is threat to our health

10.28.00pm GMT Thu 7th Jan 2010

The EU Commission has rejected the UK government's request for more time to meet the requirements of European clean air laws in Greater London. High levels of air pollution in London, especially in Westminster and in the heart of the City, breach European air quality standards designed to protect health.

Dangerous particles known as 'PM10' emitted from diesel engines and heating systems are a particularly bad problem in London.

In order to be granted a postponement of the deadline the UK and the Mayor of London had to show they were doing everything possible to comply with EU standards. But this is not the case, so Brussels is pressing ahead with enforcement procedures.

Naomi Smith, parliamentary campaigner for the Cities of London and Westminster, commented:

"Westminster contains some of the worst pollution 'hotspots' in London such as Marble Arch, Oxford Street and Edgware Road. Boris Johnson needs to implement a new Berlin-style low emissions zone that targets these heavily polluted areas."

Mark Blackburn, parliamentary campaigner for Westminster North said:

"Poor air quality in London causes 3000 premature deaths per year due to asthma, heart problems and lung cancer. Our health is being put in danger by the chronic inaction of the Tories in City Hall and Labour just down the road in Whitehall."

ENDS