Mayor backs Zane’s Law following pressure from Zack Polanski AM to tackle contaminated land crisis

The Mayor has finally confirmed his support for Zane’s Law following sustained pressure from Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski. This marks a significant step forward in addressing the urgent and long-overlooked issue of contaminated land.

Zane Gbangbola, aged seven, tragically died during the catastrophic 2014 floods in Chertsey, Surrey. Since then his parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, have led a tireless campaign for justice to better protect the public from contaminated land.

In November 2024, Zack Polanski AM proposed a motion in calling for the London Assembly to support Zane’s Law which was unanimously approved and agreed upon, it’s encouraging to now see the mayor share the same position as the Assembly.

The Mayor’s support signals growing momentum for legislative change, and increasing recognition of the Zane’s family’s decade-long campaign.

Zane’s Law would ensure that all potentially contaminated land is identified, made public, regularly inspected and properly cleaned up. It would mean local authorities would be given the funding, resources and powers to act, with the Government upholding the ‘polluter pays’ principle, where those responsible for the pollution can be identified.

Zack Polanski AM, who has championed the cause within City Hall said:

“Contaminated Land is a huge public health issue that needs urgent action but is too often ignored. We’re talking about lives at risk, families unknowingly living alongside toxic and dangerous contamination.

“The Mayor has made an important step in backing Zane’s Law, but there’s still so much more that can be done. The Mayor should use his influence to urge the Government to bring in this Law and ensure its full support and implementation.”