Lambeth Councillors vote in support of Green Party proposals to introduce electric bus routes and to launch a campaign against engine idling, which was put forth by Green Party Councillor Scott Ainslie. Scott welcomed the outcome, calling for “a clear timetable (to be) put in place for delivery”.
Lambeth Green Party achieved a momentous step forwards in its efforts to tackle air pollution in the borough this week as councillors voted in favour of their plan to promote cleaner travel and end waste incineration.
Greens have long been calling for a series of actions to reduce the extremely high air pollution levels in the borough which currently exceed EU safe limits by up to 100%.
Victory for the campaign came at Wednesday night’s council meeting when councillors voted in support of the Green Party’s proposals to introduce electric bus routes throughout Streatham and Brixton. The new plans will also see the council launch a campaign to reduce engine idling, a proposal put forward by Green Party Councillor Scott Ainslie.
Lambeth Green Party air quality campaigner Gulnar Hasnain said: “With every passing day, we hear further evidence that air pollution is seriously damaging health, particularly for older people and children. In the world’s sixth most developed economy clean air should be a given, not something we have to campaign for.”
Green Party Councillor Scott Ainslie with Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett.
Councillor Scott Ainslie said: “Finally, the Lambeth Green Party’s years of campaigning for Cleaner Air is finally being heard by the Council. Last night in the chamber there was a themed debate on how Lambeth builds a sustainable, green and effective transport system. We agreed to work cross party on securing more hybrid electric buses, preventing engine idling as well as improved provision for cyclists and pedestrians in order to bring down the dangerous levels of NO2 along Lambeth’s busiest roads. We must now ensure actions with a clear timetable are put in place for delivery and no more delays.”
Lambeth, known by many as London’s dirtiest borough, has some of the highest pollution levels in London. Brixton Road exceeded the nitrogen dioxide (NO2) hourly limit value more times than any other site in London last year, and has already exceeded the EU annual target for ALL of 2015.
It is estimated that there are over 100 deaths in Lambeth each year linked to air pollution. A report by The University of Edinburgh links short-term exposure to air pollution with a higher risk of stroke. Scientists say even short-term spikes in pollution were mirrored by a rise in strokes.