This in from the MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor’s office. Ed
The recommendation follows Paris’s example where the authorities made public transport free during a smog episode last year.
In previous pollution alerts France also imposed a reduced speed limit for traffic.
Alongside this the Mayor reduced city centre access for vehicles alternating with odd and even registration numbers. Similarly the Mayor is also talking about removing diesel vehicles (which are responsible for particulate emissions and NO2) completely.
Effects of air pollution
Experts have recently suggested that the death toll from air pollution, usually put at around 29,000 a year in the UK, could be substantially higher because of the effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), emitted during fossil fuel burning, which up until now has not been taken into account.
Next Thursday, 16th April, the Government are being taken to court by Environmental group Client Earth over consistently high levels of air pollution that break EU rules.
Government must act
Keith Taylor Green MEP for South East England said:
“Measures such as making public transport free for the day should be considered during serious smog episodes in Britain such as the one we’re experiencing today. Previous actions taken in Paris shows they recognise the unrest caused by air pollution and that they are prepared to take action.
“The Green Party has been warning everyone for years about the serious health problems that are associated with air pollution.
“How many deaths does it have to take before the Government will properly act?”
