Time for excuses on tackling London's air pollution has long passed - Mike Tuffrey

12.41.00pm GMT Fri 11th Dec 2009

Commenting on today's announcement that the European Commission will not permit the UK Government an extension to meet air quality standards for dangerous airborne particulates in Greater London, Mike Tuffrey, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and its environment spokesperson, said:

"It is regrettable that this decision has had to be made and truly shameful that the EU Commission has had to intervene.

"The UK has ignored a decade of warnings about tackling London's appalling air pollution which each year sends over 3000 Londoners to an early grave.

"The time for excuses has long passed. Even now fines can be avoided if the Labour Government and the Conservative Mayor stop passing the buck and take action.

"We need tough new national standards for nitrogen dioxide and a low emission zone for the most dangerously polluted inner London neighbourhoods.

ENDS

Details of European Commission announcement are enclosed:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1908&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en