| London Air Quality Strategy: Boris Johnson failing in his legal obligations as mayor |
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29 March 2010 | Press release On 28 March Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, published his air quality strategy for the city. ClientEarth runs CleanAir for London, the programme to ensure London complies in full with all air quality laws in time for the 2012 Olympics. Here we respond to the strategy, explaining that Mr Johnson is failing to meet his legal obligations as mayor. Alan Andrews, lead lawyer for ClientEarth’s CleanAir programme, says: “the Mayor has acknowledged that 4,300 Londoners die prematurely each year due to air pollution, which should finally bring some much needed focus to an issue that has been sidelined for too long. “However, despite some positive steps such as a commitment to improving electric vehicle infrastructure and tackling emissions from taxis, a shortfall of ambition and commitment persists, and Mr Johnson still fails to fulfil his mayoral duties set out in the Greater London Authority Act. “In particular, greater efforts are needed to tackle levels of nitrogen dioxide on London’s roads. Even if all the measures in the strategy are implemented, busy roads throughout London will still greatly exceed legal limits, risking massive fines and potentially causing ozone episodes during the Olympics. “Mayor Johnson acknowledges the NO2 problem but once again lays responsibility solely at the government’s door. He must embrace his share of responsibility. Cooperation at city and national level is the only way of safeguarding Londoners’ health.” Notes for editors More about CleanAir for London. |
