London News: Boris Johnson urged to cut pollution to avoid EU fines

by Alex Stephens. Tuesday, 26 August 2008

http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/news/article/1157154788398?packedargs=aid%3D1157154788398%26suffix%3DArticleController

THE Government is to seek an urgent meeting with Mayor Boris Johnson to discuss how to tackle illegal air-pollution levels in London and avoid unlimited fines from Europe.

In a bid to dodge heavy penalties, air quality minister Jonathan Shaw has written to the Mayor, offering the expertise of officials at the Department for Environment.

The letter says that Britain plans to ask for an extension until June 2011 to meet air quality requirements imposed by the European Union.

Britain has been breaking EU air quality laws on particulate pollution for three years. A new EU air quality directive will force the UK also to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution on some of the capitals busiest streets by more than a third by the end of 2009.

Up to 319,000 people in London are exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels above EU limits, the Government says.

It is expected that the capital will have to introduce additional low-emission zones with tighter standards than the existing zone, which covers only large vehicles, and demand that vehicles are fitted with pollution-abatement equipment.

Boris has a 'Star Trek' ride

BORIS JOHNSON today called for a revolution in the use of eco-friendly vehicles after test-driving an electric supercar. The Mayor hit the M40 in a Californian-made Tesla and compared the experience to Star Trek's "warp drive." He wants City Hall's fleet of vehicles to covert to electric.

thelondonpaper, March 10 2009

Boris told: Cut air pollution to save 3,000 deaths a year

Katharine Barney
01.05.09

Boris Johnson was today criticised for failing to tackle air pollution which contributes to the deaths of 3,000 Londoners a year - three times more than previously thought.

The London Assembly Investigation, Every Breath You Take, found London's air quality was having a severe impact on people's health.

It said a previous estimate of 1,000 deaths annually did not take into account higher levels of pollutants in London.

The capital's air quality is among the worst in the UK and Europe and well below EU targets. The findings of the Environment Committee will urge the Mayor to introduce a series of low-emission zones in central London, banning heavily emitting vehicles from pollution hot spots........

Complete article & comments here:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23684480-details/Boris+told:+Cut+air+pollution+to+save+3,000+deaths+a+year/article.do