Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling today (Wednesday 1 May 2013) that the UK Government is failing in its legal duty to meet EU air pollution targets, Friends of the Earth London Campaigner, Jenny Bates said:

"This is a significant judgement that Ministers must not ignore.

“The UK’s attitude to air pollution is a national scandal – thousands of people die prematurely every year because of poor air quality.

“We urge Ministers to take urgent action to tackle this crisis, including scrapping plans to build more roads.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Supreme Court press summary and full judgement
 
"The court is satisfied that it should grant the declaration sought [ that the UK is in breach of article 13 of the Air Quality Directive] ... Such an order is appropriate both as a formal statement of the legal position, and also to make clear that ... the way is open to immediate enforcement action at national or European level" (paragraph 37 of the judgement)
 
2. Under current Government plans 15 UK areas or zones are not due to meet EU legal limits for NO2 until 2020, and London not until 2025, when the last possible extension from the original 2010 deadline is 2015
 
3. Friends of the Earth is a partner in the Healthy Air Campaign which is co-ordinated by Client Earth
 
4. Friends of the Earth launched a Judicial Review on 8th April against Transport for London and the Mayor over their flawed and unfair consultation on road river crossings in East London which are a threat to air pollution in an area where levels already exceed EU legal limits for NO2.