Campaigners call on Mayor Sadiq Khan to ban diesel cars from London amid air pollution fears

Doctors and medical students launch campaign to ban diesel cars from London
David Mirzoeff/Greenpeace /PA Wire
Tom Powell12 December 2016

Doctors and health professionals have called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ban all diesel cars from the capital.

Campaign group Doctors Against Diesel held a protest in London, claiming 9,400 Londoners die prematurely each year as a result of breathing in toxic diesel fumes.

Paris, Madrid, Mexico City and Athens have all committed to banning diesel vehicles by 2025.

A spokesman for the mayor said Mr Khan has no legal powers to ban cars in the city.

Contrast: a cold layer of air could be seen trapping pollution close to the ground in early December
Pete Buckney

They said: "The mayor is delivering hard-hitting measures to rid London of the dirtiest diesel cars long before 2025.

“His immediate plans include charges for the most polluting diesel cars in central London from 2017 and bringing forward and extending the Ultra-Low Emission Zone which removes all but the newest Euro 6 diesel vehicles from as early as 2019."

The protest came as cars were banned and public transport made free in Paris after the city saw its worst winter pollution levels in a decade.

Meanwhile in Rome, the mayor has banned vehicles from driving through the Italian capital on Sundays in a bid to tackle severe smog. Police have been advised to fine anyone who flouts the tough traffic restrictions.

Smog: A thick layer of smog was visible above London two weeks ago (William Smith / @williamsmithorg)
William Smith/@williamsmithorg

Earlier this month London’s air pollution hit more than double the usual levels, according to the London Air Quality Network.

It came as temperatures plummeted below freezing amid clear skies and low wind levels.

Parents were advised to “take care” when taking their baby outside by the pioneering Plume Labs company after it recorded toxic levels of air pollution.

The firm put the level of air pollution in London as “high” based on World Health Organisation limits, which are stricter for some pollutants than EU rules used by the Government and other experts.

Recent figures showed Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea and the City had the highest rate of deaths attributable to PM 2.5 particulate pollution.

Scientists warn that this type of tiny particulate pollution is particularly dangerous as it can get deep into the lungs and seep into the bloodstream — causing heart and lung disease, cancer, and aggravating asthma.

It is significantly blamed on diesel engines, coal-burning power stations, agriculture and shipping.

Levels have risen in London in recent days, with winds blowing in from France carrying pollution.

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