Travel without polluting
There is a link between the mode of transport you use and its effect on air quality.
If you choose a more sustainable mode of transport less pollution will be emitted.
While cars are seen as convenient they also emit harmful air pollutants from their exhaust fumes which contribute to air pollution.
Although pollution comes from a number of sources in Lambeth, road traffic is the main contributor.
What is air quality?
Air quality is about the air that we breathe. Although it is improving rather than getting worse a number of problems still exist. For instance, breathing in polluted air causes a number of problems, especially for young children, the elderly and those with heart and lung problems.
What causes air pollution?
London has a long history of suffering from pollution. As recently as the 1950s London experienced 'pea souper' smogs leading to a number of governmental clean air regulations which focused on closing down coal-fired power stations and installing more efficient heating systems in homes.
However, despite improvements in some areas, increasing use of the private motor vehicle has led to rising levels of air pollution. In Lambeth approximately 90 per cent of air pollution is attributed to road traffic.
Problems
Air pollution kills 24,000 people every year in the UK according to the DH report the Quantification of the effects of air pollution on health in the United Kingdom.
Exhaust fumes from cars with petrol and diesel engines contain pollutants that are harmful to human health. These include Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and very fine particulates of soot and dust. Although invisible to the human eye, they make respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis worse and are thought to increase the risk of heart attacks.
In addition to polluting the air we breathe, motor vehicles also release Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This gas contributes to climate change, which is linked to causing extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
What are we doing to improve air quality?
The government’s National Air Quality Strategy places responsibility for reducing pollution with local authorities, and we are required to meet targets under the Environment Act 1995. London authorities additionally have to take into account the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy for London.
We are undertaking a package of measures designed to help reduce traffic in Lambeth and help improve air quality. These include easy-to-see measures such as the:
- implementation of cycle lanes
- introduction of parking restrictions
- extension of cycle parking facilities.
There are also activities around raising awareness and encouraging residents and visitors to Lambeth to use more sustainable modes of transport.
Everybody contributes to air pollution, and so everyone has a role to play in helping improve the quality of the air we breathe in Lambeth. Find out how you can help to improve air quality.
More information
Contact: Transport Policy Manager
Telephone: 020 7926 1000.