Sadiq Khan must push harder to reduce dangerous levels of toxic air in London, leading experts say

New technology must be harnessed to create a better system for combating the problem, academics have urged
Toxic air: Sadiq Khan must do more to improve air quality in London, leading researchers have said
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Sadiq Khan must do more to tackle the capital’s air pollution crisis, leading health experts and academics have urged in a new report.

The city’s mayor needs to harness new technology to create a system based on “public transport, walking and cycling”, the fresh research by think tank Centre for London said.

The group’s report comes after separate data published last week showed that every single person in the capital is exposed to dangerously high levels on a daily basis.

Overseen by NHS England chairman Malcolm Grant, Centre for London’s findings also came as four Commons committees decided this week to relaunch a “super inquiry” into the crisis.

As the scale of the problem continues to be highlighted, Mr Khan outlined plans to combat pollution caused by diesel cars that are set to start later this month.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that will impose an additional charge on the most polluting vehicles to use London’s roads will also be introduced by the mayor next year.

Air pollution: The findings come as four cross-party parliamentary committees reopened a joint inquiry into the problem
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But the new report, titled Commission on the Future of London’s Roads and Streets, said Mr Khan must do more if the capital is to preserve “environmental sustainability in the years to come”.

It recommends that the low emissions zone should use emerging technology to base charges of emissions in real-time.

The report also suggested that the Oyster card payment system could be extended to include greener services like cycle hire schemes and taxis.

Among other ideas, the think tank said subsidised shared mobility services could be introduced for key workers on low incomes who start or finish work overnight.

You can read the full report, which was published on Tuesday, here.

The findings come as four cross-party parliamentary committees reopened a joint inquiry into steps being taken by the Government to improve on ways to tackle dangerous levels of pollution.

It is being led by the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Environmental Audit, Health, and Transport Committees, which initially opened the inquiry before to the General Election.

Sir Malcolm said of the report, which was published on Tuesday: “As London’s growth continues, we need a fundamental reappraisal of how our roads and streets operate – not only as conduits for travel but also as public spaces, enabling activity and sociability, adding to the vitality of neighbourhoods, and creating a better city.

“The recommendations made in this report will require political courage, investment and a long-term view. But London needs action now to preserve economic and social vitality, and environmental sustainability in the years to come.”

Responding to the think tank’s findings, Val Shawcross, Deputy Mayor for Transport at City Hall, said the report is an “important” one that “seeks to grapple with some of the biggest issues facing our city over the coming decades”.

“As the report recommends, it is essential that we encourage more people to cycle and walk as part of their everyday lives, and use public transport as an alternative to car use,” she added.

“We have some of the most ambitious plans to reduce dangerous emissions of any city in the world, and we will continue to keep London’s existing and planned road charging schemes under review, ensuring they deliver the best outcomes for our city over the coming years.”

In the past 13 months, Mr Khan has issued seven toxic air alerts.

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