In response to the Mayor’s announcement that he has provided an extra £24 million of funding to a scheme which helps black cab drivers switch to electric vehicles, Labour’s London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, Florence Eshalomi AM, said:
“In London, we are facing a stark situation with almost 10,000 people dying prematurely every year and children’s lungs being stunted by excessive levels of air pollution.
“Our cabbies have been playing their part in helping to clean up the capital’s air with many having switched to zero emissions capable vehicles.
“This significant funding boost, which comes on top of the £18 million that TfL have already allocated, will be vital in helping even more cabbies in the capital transition to cleaner taxis from older, more polluting vehicles”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- A report published by King’s College London shows that almost 10,000 people in London die prematurely each year due to toxic air;
- The British Lung Foundation identifies air pollution as a factor in the stunting of children’s lung development;
- Florence Eshalomi is the London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark.