Putney High Street Tops Toxic Air Levels In London
NO2 levels over three times higher than level set by EU regulations
The environmental lawyers published a list of 20 pollution blackspots where toxic levels far exceeds EU limits. Topping this is Putney High Street, where, according to the monitoring by Ling's College London, the average NO2 concentration level was 133 micrograms per cubic metre between January 1 and April 27 - EU regulations saying this score should not be higher than 40.
Brixton Road came a close second with 128 micrograms per cubic metre both beating London's busiest shopping street Oxford Street (104 micrograms per cubic metre).
Average nitrogen oxide readings in micrograms per cubic metre in 2016 Wandsworth - Putney High Street 133 Lambeth - Brixton Road 128 Westminster - Oxford Street 104 City of London - Walbrook Wharf 92 Camden - Holborn (inmidtown) 86 Camden - Euston Road 86 Kensington and Chelsea - Earls Court Rd 86 Westminster - Marylebone Road 86 City of London - Beech Street 83 Kensington and Chelsea - Knightsbridge 81 Hammersmith and Fulham - Shepherds Bush 76 Kensington and Chelsea - Kings Road 76 Brent - Ikea 72 Lambeth - Bondway Interchange 71 Hounslow - Gunnersbury 68 Greenwich - Woolwich Flyover 67 Sutton - Wallington 67 Ealing - Hanger Lane Gyratory 66 Ealing - Western Avenue 66 Tower Hamlets - Blackwall 65 The EU annual limit is average of 40 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3). Source: ClientEarth compilation of figures from King’s College, London |
Judith Chegwidden, Chair of The Putney Society told this website:"These levels are being achieved despite the introduction of hybrid buses and the (much welcomed) ban on day time deliveries. It is clear that more needs to be done to control emissions of NO2 and particulates. The Putney Society supports the early introduction of a Ultra Low Emission Zone in London - we cannot afford to wait until 2020. In addition, the zone needs to be extended beyond the central area of London to include Wandsworth. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee noted this week that councils have insufficient powers to control NO2 pollution, but it also noted that national government needs to tackle this public health emergency. This may mean that they have to grasp the political nettle of reducing the number of older diesel cars on our roads".
This week the High Court gave ClientEarth the go-ahead to pursue a judicial review against Defra over its alleged failure to tackle illegal levels of air pollution despite the Supreme Court ruling last year.
April 29, 2016