MPs are right to slam the Government’s lack of ambition for tackling air pollution, Friends of the Earth says today (Monday 27 February 2012), as the Environmental Audit Committee criticises Ministers’ failure to clean up our air.

The green campaigning charity says Ministers and the Mayor of London should stop trying to dilute EU air quality rules and get on with the job of cleaning up Britain’s air by tackling the root cause of the problem: too much dirty traffic.

Friends of the Earth’s London Campaigner Jenny Bates said:

“It’s outrageous that people in Britain are breathing dangerously polluted air and that legal air quality standards are unlikely to be met until 2025 – many years after the deadline to comply has passed.

“By attempting to dilute rules that protect people from air pollution Ministers are putting thousands of lives at risk and hitting the poorest and most vulnerable people the hardest.

“The Government must reduce the huge amount of dirty traffic clogging up Britain’s cities, particularly in the capital where air quality’s the poorest.

“Instead of pushing plans to build new vehicle crossings over the Thames, Boris Johnson must do more to improve public transport, cycling and walking - this will cut air pollution, climate emissions and make life healthier for Londoners.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1.   The Government response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report ‘Air Quality: A follow up Report’ is now available on the Committee website.

2.   Friends of the Earth has organised two public meetings on the proposed new Thames river crossings for vehicles, to help provide local people with more information before they respond to Transport for London's consultation ending 5th March. South side of the river – Tuesday 28 February, 6.30-8-30pm, at the Forum@Greenwich, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9EQ . North side of the river – Wednesday 29 February 6.30-8.30pm at the Britannia Village Hall, 65 Evelyn Road, London E16 1TU. To get involved please contact Jenny Bates:[email protected], 07884 003107.

3.    For more information, see Transport for London’s consultation on its two new proposed river crossings.