Tower Hamlets Labour sets out ambitious plan to tackle air pollution

At a meeting of Tower Hamlets Council last week, councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of an ambitious plan to clean up our air and help tackle climate change. The plan, set out in a council motion, lists actions that the council will take to tackle air pollution over the coming months and years.

The motion builds on a decision taken in March this year to declare a climate emergency in Tower Hamlets. The council has also committed to work towards being a carbon neutral borough by 2025.

The decision comes at a crucial time, with 40% of residents in Tower Hamlets living in areas that breach EU and government guidance on safe levels of air pollution and a recent scientific study finding that children in Tower Hamlets have up to 10% less lung capacity than normal.

The Mayor and councillors committed to develop a Tower Hamlets Carbon Neutral Plan, setting out how the council will meet its plan to become carbon neutral by 2025. The council also agreed to lobby government on the issue and produce a yearly ‘Climate Emergency Annual Report’.

This sits alongside the work the council is already undertaking to improve air quality, including the anti-idling campaign and 50 planned ‘school streets’ and ‘play streets’, which means areas around some schools have restrictions to traffic so pupils are not exposed to harmful emissions. The council is also investing in improving neighbourhoods through a Liveable Streets fund to make it easier to get about by foot, on a bike and on public transport, and installing 300 electric vehicle charging points across the borough. An air quality fund is also giving small pots of money to innovative groups in the community who want to do their bit.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: “Tower Hamlets has some of the worst air pollution levels in the capital and tackling this needs a big commitment from individuals, the council and the government. The reality of the situation is that we face a climate emergency and no change is simply not an option.

“The plan we have agreed as a council is an ambitious blueprint to improve our air quality and play our part in tackling climate change. It builds on the good work we’re already doing in this area and sets out what further action we’ll be taking.”

Cllr Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Planning, Air Quality and Tackling Poverty, said: “Poor air quality is not only a health issue but it’s also a social justice issue. Deprived areas in London have a higher concentration of dangerous particles in the air than in any other deprived region in England and levels are 40% higher in deprived wards than non-deprived wards.

“Tower Hamlets has both some of the worst air pollution in London and some of the highest levels of deprivation, so it’s especially important we take urgent action.”

Cllr Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Air pollution is a major public health issue with hundreds of people estimated to die early each year as a result. Tackling this needs urgent action at a local, national and international level. The plan we’ve set out will be an important part of our work locally, and we’ll be lobbying the government to take much tougher action to clean up our air.”