Responding to the exposure of a ‘buried’ GLA study showing that in 2010, 433 of the capital’s 1,777 primary schools were in areas where pollution breached the EU limits for NO2, and of those 83% were in deprived areas, Caroline Russell AM commented:
“Children are at risk of reduced lung capacity and are particularly vulnerable to developing asthma from excessive vehicular pollution. It is staggering that Boris Johnson sat on this report for two and a half years.”
“If this was a deliberate cover up, as suggested, the former Mayor of London not only failed to fulfil his public health responsibilities but is answerable for negligence.”
“Having found this report, the new Mayor Sadiq Khan should also take note that a number of the schools are in outer London, beyond his proposed ULEZ zone. It’s essential that all outer London boroughs should also have the ability to opt in the ULEZ right from the beginning.”
Editors Notes
Caroline Russell is available for interview
Notes to editors
The research was commissioned by the Greater London Authority in early 2013 from the independent consultancy Aether and completed in September of the same year.