Words About Things

Boris Johnson has spoken at the Conservative Conference about his plans to reduce pollution in London by 2011. The capital currently has high levels of dangerous airborne particles referred to as PM10s which need to be reduced in order to avoid fines of up to £300m from the EU. Johnson scrapped previous plans to expand the western edge of the congestion charges zone in order to ‘protect the capital’s small businesses’.

Banning traffic on hot days

Boris announced plans to ban traffic from particular areas of London during hot, still days. Drivers will have limited access to Marble Arch, Euston Road and Tower Hill on days when airborne particles are likely to linger and rise above safe levels. Vans and lorries will be affected although cars could also be subject to the exclusions. Last year pollution rose to unacceptable levels in the capital on at least 100 days. Some have argued that these plans seem to aim to merely meet the EU restrictions rather than combat the pollution problem facing London.

Asthma and traffic fumes

Those with Asthma are most likely to be effected by high levels of PM10s with two thirds of those polled saying that traffic brought about their symptoms.

“Two thirds of people with asthma say that traffic fumes trigger their symptoms and nearly a third say that a reduction in air pollution is the single thing that would make the most difference to their quality of life. Measures to reduce people’s exposure to these substances are therefore very welcome and we hope these measures will help London achieve its regulatory targets for emissions.”

Kate Ravenscroft, Asthma UK

The pollution in the capital is though to have brought about the premature death of more than 3,000 Londoners in 2005 (some put the figure as high as 8,000).

Trees and taxi cabs

The proposed plans include the planting of trees and hedgerows in heavily effected areas. Taxi cabs and minicabs over 15 years old will not be given licences after 2012 to force those with the most polluting vehicles to replacing them in order to work in London. Those with older used vans will have to pay £100 per day to enter the centre of London from 2012.

“By 2012 the eyes of the world will be on our city, and I am determined that we will be a cleaner, greener and less polluted city, that safeguards the health and well being of its citizens. These proposals call for everyone to play their part in curbing pollution but those who contribute more to this problem should be expected to do more to provide the solution.”

Boris Johnson.

Low Emissions Zone

The Mayor’s plans for changes to the Low Emissions Zone are not expected to come into force until 2012, one year after the deadline for reducing airbourne particles. Vehicles that do not meet strict low emission specifications will have to pay a fine of £100 per day to enter London. The scheme currently covers buses, coaches and lorries over 3.5 tonnes but will be extended to include 90,000 smaller vehicles such as vans. Critics have said that waiting until 2012 will put lives at risk.

Boris Johnson may have embarrassed the nation at the Beijing Olympics by suggesting that it was time to bring Ping Pong home but not everything he says is worthy or ridicule. The London Mayor has talked about his plans to make Wifi available all over London by 2012.

Bumbling Boris scoffed at the Prime Minister’s suggestion that school children should be given vouchers if their families cannot afford to get online. He said

I certainly think there is a case for dealing with people who are information technology-poor, and trying to help people get online, what we need is a city where anywhere you go, you can log on, you can get on the web.

This has come in response to the news that children growing up in broadband free homes can struggle to keep up educationally with those who have wireless broadband.

Wifi is currently avaliable in coffee shops and public areas of the city including Covent Garden. A list of other areas in which you can connect without the use of a phone line can be found here.