Locals dissatisfied by government attempts to reduce air pollution

Islington Clean Air Parents met with Emily Thornberry to discuss the environmental bill. Image Credit: Lucy Facer

A study released last week by Imperial College London, which revealed that Islington has one of the highest average annual levels of NO₂ pollution, has prompted concerns among locals that Inner London boroughs have illegal levels of air pollution despite the limits set by EU legislation.

Lucy Facer, co-founder of Islington Clean Air Parents, said there is a “slight lack of knowledge and understanding” from authorities when tackling environmental issues. Although the council has plans to introduce more electric cars to reduce NO₂ levels, Facer says electric cars still release particulate matter like petrol and diesel cars.

This week, Islington Council installed its first smart cameras in Mildmay Park and Copenhagen Street to enforce vehicle weight restrictions and prevent HGVs from using residential roads as shortcuts.

Councillor Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We’re committed to taking bold action to reduce the number of lorries on our residential streets by enforcing our existing lorry ban, thus improving road safety whilst also tackling air pollution. We’re also listening to the concerns of local people who want cleaner, safer and quieter streets.”

The Queen’s Speech on Monday included an environmental bill that would set legally binding targets to cut air pollution, but there is no guarantee the draft would be approved by parliament.

Campaign group Islington Clean Air Parents met with Labour MP Emily Thornberry earlier this week to ask her to represent their concerns in parliament. “We want her to recognise how important it is for residents in Islington. We want to push the Government and have an environmental bill that’s legally binding, as opposed to ‘let’s try our best,’” Facer said.

The group is organising an event at Islington Town Hall next month. Scientists and campaigners will be present to raise awareness and empower residents to campaign against air pollution.