Call to tackle air pollution

Air pollution in British cities is shortening people’s lives, damaging the health of children and increasing the burden on the NHS, political leaders (including the leader of Peterborough City Council) have warned the Government.

Conservative Cllr John Holdich has joined London Mayor Sadiq Khan and his Labour counterparts in cities including Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol who signed an open letter to Theresa May urging her to launch “an ambitious national plan for clean air”.

They want new clean air legislation, a vehicle renewal scheme to replace old vehicles that produce more pollution and funding for cities to create “clean air zones” and invest in cleaner public transport, cycling and walking schemes.

Peterborough currently has the aspiration to be the UK’s Environment Capital.

The letter, also addressed to Environment Secretary Michael Gove, follows the first ever National Clean Air Summit in June hosted by Mr Khan, the UK100 Cities network and think tank IPPR.

Agovernmentspokeswoman said: “Although air quality has improved in recent years, with nitrogen oxide emissions falling by 27 per cent and sulphur dioxide emissions down 60 per cent, we recognise there is more to do.

“That is why we are taking action through our £3.5 billion plan to reduce harmful emissions and our ambitious new Clean Air Strategy which has been welcomed by the WHO (World Health Organisation).”

Cllr John Holdich