The Green Party voices their support of the National Funeral for the Unknown Victim of Traffic Violence with councillor Caroline Russell set to speak at the demonstration and Green Assembly Member Baroness Jenny Jones set to attend.
London’s Mayor must take seriously the need to protect the health of the city’s road users Green Party councillor and Local Transport Spokesperson Caroline Russell has warned as thousands prepare to take part in a national funeral for the “Unknown Victim of Traffic Violence”.
The Party has warned that the current direction of the Mayor’s transport policies is causing increasing harm to the health of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. They point to evidence showing that the number of cyclists and pedestrians killed or seriously injured in traffic collisions has risen since Mr. Johnson was elected whilst levels of air pollution have also increased, putting the health of all road users at risk. This November a motion passed by the London Assembly criticised the Mayor for his “abject failure” to tackle air pollution.
Ahead of the demonstration, Islington Councillor, Caroline Russell said:
“Everyone should be able to breathe clean air and to get about in safety on the roads where they live and work. Sadly that right is being denied to Londoners by the cavalier approach of our Mayor who willfully ignores evidence of increasing air pollution in the capital and has so far done little to put the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at the forefront of his transport plans.
“Whilst 4000 people continue to die prematurely every year as a result of London’s air pollution, the Mayor has tried numerous tactics to avoid reporting on the capital’s shameful levels of pollution. Meanwhile he has already scaled back his original plans to create networks of cycle superhighways across London with only 4 out of the proposed 12 routes due for completion by the end of his term.
“The National Funeral event is a chance to pause and reflect on the unbearable toll of death and injury on our roads. I’m proud to join those lying in the road at Marble Arch and to add my voice to the calls for a less vehicle-centric, more people-friendly city and for an end to these needless road deaths and serious injuries.”
The London Green Party supports all ten of the Stop the Killing Demands. We have a number of proposals to help improve our health and reduce danger on the capital’s roads including introducing 20mph speed limits on all streets where people live, work, and shop; prioritising active travel – walking and cycling; adopting Dutch street design principles for Cycle Superhighways; rebuilding London’s most dangerous junctions; providing convenient crossings for people on foot and tightening Low Emissions Standards and ensuring they are properly enforced.
The National Funeral, due to be held on Saturday 15th in central London, will honour all those of have died across the country as a result of traffic violence and pollution emitted from road vehicles. The protest is seeking to unite all road users to create ‘streets fit for humans’.