Paris makes metro free to combat smog, London Mayor won’t even issue smog alert

Green Assembly Member Baroness Jenny Jones calls for Mayor Boris Johnson to “think big” to deal with air pollution problems and protect Londoners.

Metro sign

The Metro amongst other public transport services were made free this weekend

in Paris, photograph courtesy of Fabio Venni.

Paris transport authorities are making public transport free over the weekend due to health risks from the air pollution episode affecting the city. Jenny Jones AM has called on the Mayor of London to “think big” to help Londoners avoid the serious health risks associated with the air pollution in the capital, and has repeating her call for him to issue smog alerts to help vulnerable groups such as children, and anyone with asthma or heart conditions.

Jenny commented: “The Mayor cannot sit idly by this weekend while millions of Londoners are exposed to pollution that can permanently damage our health. He must alert the 2,500 schools in London that are close to polluted roads and consider closing the worst roads to all but buses and essential traffic. Like Paris, he needs to think big.

“Rather than solving the problem the Mayor seems intent on making the problems worse, backing new road building schemes and increased airport capacity. We need firm action to deliver cleaner vehicles as well as reduce the overall level of traffic on our roads.”

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