Extreme toxic air is blighting London’s most exclusive shopping destination and at least eight other blackspots in the city, according to figures published today.
King’s College London data showed the number of pollution peaks far exceeding limits set by EU law in Knightsbridge, home to Harrods, Putney High Street and the Strand.
Pollution should not breach 200 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) per cubic metre of air an hour on more than 18 occasions a year, according to the EU rules.
The limit is imposed to protect public health because high levels of NO₂ and tiny particulates are known to damage breathing and heart health.
In Knightsbridge last year pollution exceeded 200µg/m3 on 80 occasions, and even more often — 126 times — at Walbrook Wharf in the City, nearly seven times the permitted level.
The third worst area was Putney High Street where the limit was flouted 76 times, followed by Brixton Road in Lambeth 75, and Beech Street in the Square Mile area, 67.
Marylebone Road in Westminster was double the limit on 38 occasions, a monitor close to Ikea in Brent, 33, the Strand in Westminster, 26 and Euston Road in Camden, 25. The number of breaches has come down dramatically in recent years. However, the figures show the scale of the toxic air crisis still affecting many parts of the city where a series of events are being held today to mark Clean Air Day.
‘Forget knightsbridge. I’ll go shopping in stratford instead’
Londoners and visitors today expressed their surprise and dismay at the findings on air pollution
Natalie Jacques, 25, civil service worker from east London: “To think we’re living like that, it’s really bad. I come here often to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, but that’s put me off and I’ll probably go to Stratford instead. When I’m here it doesn’t feel more polluted than another part of London, but it’s made me more aware.”
Chris Caires, 39, scientist on holiday in London from Larchmount, New York: “The results would put me off living here, but not shopping here. If I was living here I would be very upset, but if I was shopping here once a year, I wouldn’t be so concerned. We have vehicle tests in the US, called smogging, which have really made the air better.”
Hannah McGhee, 33, head of Clique Brands UK, a digital publisher: “I think the fact we’re highlighting it is good. It’s good to have a measure to strive towards, but I can understand why we’re not there yet. Knightsbridge is a lovely area, but it’s very high in tourist traffic, so naturally [that] brings taxis.
Ibrahim Aldraiwiesh, 30, PhD student in respiratory medicine at Imperial College: “The government needs to decrease the levels of toxicity, put a system in place that controls the number of cars on the roads, put up more no-smoking signs, and make people more aware of how to take care of their physical health.”
The ratified data from King’s also confirmed that Brixton Road had the highest annual average level of NO₂, at 95µg/m3, more than double the legal limit of 40ug/m3. This level was breached at more than 50 monitoring sites in the capital.
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Andrew Grieve, a senior air quality analyst at King’s, said: “Londoners can lower the risks of air pollution damaging their health by avoiding the most polluted roads. Using backstreets can halve pedestrians’ exposure.”
Pollution in London
The university scientists are working with the Better Bankside business improvement district to measure pedestrian flows on various streets to identify how best to maximise the number of people taking action to protect themselves against toxic air. A poll by London Councils found 60 per cent of parents said they were worried by pollution. The figure represented a 10 percentage point increase on last year. Nearly half, 47 per cent, said air quality influenced where they chose to live, up from 42 per cent on 2017. The survey of 1,005 Londoners was conducted by Kantar TNS Research for London Councils, which represents 32 boroughs and the City of London.
As pressure mounts on the Government to ramp up the fight against toxic air, Green party peer Baroness Jones is to table a new Clean Air Bill in the Lords on July 5. “My bill enshrines clean air as a human right,” she said. “Public opinion has shifted as people have woken up to the poisoning of our air.”
Business and town hall chiefs have created a network of clean air routes which can be found at crossriverpartnership.org/projects/clean-air-walking-routes
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