Healthy Streets

Todays (30th November 2015) Evening Standard tells on a new “shock” report from the Policy Exchange Commission and Kings College London. It tells of 3,800,000 of London’s workforce (44%) employed in areas breaching EU rules for the killer air-pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). (Note this does not refer to particulates such as PM2.5 which also has serious health impacts or CO2 which is one gas responsible for climate change, both of which are significantly due to traffic engines.)

In Enfield it identifies 3,237 schoolchildren and 18,982 workers affected by “filthy air” which scientists say risks shortening lives. For those of us in Enfield Southgate there is the potential for a mixed reaction to this for, “In outer London, the air was dirtier in some more deprived communities than affluent neighbourhoods.”

But more generally the report identifies, “The case for tackling air pollution in London is clear. London’s air is unhealthy to breathe. Children are particularly vulnerable to unsafe levels of air pollution.” and emphasises the “very clear moral case” for tackling air pollution.

On the brighter side the report highlights states “that if current and planned policies are implemented by the Mayor and Government then the average life expectancy in London could increase by six months”.

London Plan Policy 6.9 is central to much of this and so realistically includes this “moral case”. Let’s hope we now see some moral leadership in this space from all political parties:

"The Mayor will work with all relevant partners to bring about a significant increase in cycling in London, so that it accounts for at least 5 per cent of modal share by 2026. He will: fund the transformation of up to four outer London borough town centres into cycle friendly ‘mini- Hollands’.
The Mayor is committed to delivering a step-change in cycling provision that will support the growing numbers of cyclists in central London as well as encourage growth in cycling across all of London. The Mayor’s aim to increase the mode share for cycling to 5% across Greater London will require significant increases in particular areas and for particular trip purposes – e.g. Central, Inner and mini-Hollands.
It goes on to include:-
transformation of up to four outer London boroughs into ‘Mini- Hollands’, with substantial funding concentrated in relatively small areas to achieve the greatest possible impact and make them as cycle friendly as their Dutch counterparts
The quality and safety of London’s street environment should be improved to make the experience of cycling more pleasant and an increasingly viable alternative to the private car. By providing safe and attractive routes that are easy to navigate people may be encouraged to cycle more, which will have health benefits for them and also help tackle climate change."