I have mentioned in the past that I still receive press releases from Sarah Ludford, London's Liberal Democrat MEP, which I read not merely as a courtesy, but as someone interested on what our Parliamentarians are doing in Brussels and, regrettably, Strasbourg (Single Seat, anybody?).
Today, Sarah has commented on the declaration of the UK Supreme Court in a case brought by environmental campaign group Client Earth that the UK government has breached European air pollution rules. The Court decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for further clarification.
She notes;
The Supreme Court declaration that the government has breached the EU Air Quality Directive is regrettable but necessary. Instead of acting swiftly to protect the public from harmful levels of air pollution, a Tory Environment Minister just last week shamefully tried to water down EU air quality rules and the Tory Mayor of London drags his feet.
Air quality is something that does resonate strongly with this country-dweller, especially as I lived in London for forty-five years before migrating to mid-Suffolk.
The notes to editors that are linked to her press release make for grim reading;
- Estimates of the number of premature deaths per year in London due to long-term exposure to air pollution range from about 3,000 to 8,000 (based on 2005 data).
- 86% of the worst areas in the country for nitrogen dioxide pollution and 87% of the worst areas in the country for particulate pollution are in London.
- More than 320,000 children attend schools in London within 150 metres of roads carrying more than 10,000 vehicles a day. This is the level of traffic that has been found to increase risk of developing or exacerbating asthma in children.
No wonder that I developed a persistent, hacking cough as years of working in Central London took their toll. It's much less annoying these days, although my weekly trips to London don't help.
Well said, Sarah, well said...
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