12
June
2019
|
11:00
Europe/London

City of London Corporation awarded £1,000,000 to combat air pollution across London

The City of London Corporation has been awarded £1,000,000, from the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund, to deliver joint projects with the London Borough of Camden and the Cross River Partnership to improve air quality across London.

This funding will help to deliver a pan-London idling engine action project including a London wide advertising campaign, encouraging drivers to switch off their engines whilst parked, in partnership with Camden Council.

It will continue the success of the previous volunteer led action scheme – a model pioneered by the City Corporation - which was adopted by a total of 18 local authorities. The project will bring the total to 28.

Participating boroughs will organise volunteer powered action days, deliver anti-idling workshops with schools and give training to companies and fleet managers about air pollution across London.

The Clean Air Thames project, delivered with the Cross River Partnership, will seek to improve London’s air quality and reduce exposure to air pollutants by retrofitting 11 passenger and freight vessels operating on the River Thames.

A key benefit of vessel retrofitting would see the reduction of marine emissions of key air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter which can cause asthma, heart disease and cancer. Subject to the chosen technology, emissions could be reduced by up to 90% in nitrogen dioxide and 85% in particulate matter.

Jeremy Simons, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said:

“With support from the Mayor of London, these projects demonstrate organisations across the capital working together to tackle this public health crisis.

“Much of central London and the Square Mile experiences higher levels of air pollution than the rest of the UK.

“This summer, we will be finalising our new air quality strategy which will strengthen our collaboration and partnerships with organisations across London.

“We must continue to protect the public’s fundamental right to live in a clean and safe environment.”

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet member for a sustainable Camden said:

“We are excited to be leading the Pan London Idling Action Project in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

“Air pollution is a London-wide issue and this project will enable us to work together with the 25 other participating London boroughs to combat engine idling through education and enforcement.

“We know that it can take time to change behaviour, but this project aims to speed up action across London by raising awareness about the significant health impacts of engine idling. Everyone can make a difference to the air we breathe.”

Councillor Wendy Hyde, Chair of Cross River Partnership, said:

“Cross River Partnership is extremely pleased to be working with the Mayor of London, the City of London Corporation, the Port of London Authority and other organisations on retrofitting River Thames vessels to improve Air Quality for Londoners.”

As well as working with businesses through its CityAir Programme, its new procurement rules have brought in tight restrictions on harmful emissions from construction equipment and generators.

Last year, the City Corporation supported the introduction of a clean air cargo bike delivery scheme helping City firms tackle toxic air pollution by shifting deliveries from diesel and petrol vans to cargo bicycles.

Its CityAir app provides over 27,000 Londoners with low pollution travel routes across the capital, with advice and alerts when air pollution is high.

It also brought in new emissions-based charges for on-street parking in the Square Mile, targeting high polluting transport with higher charges, while rewarding drivers of low emission vehicles with lower tariffs.

The City Corporation has also been awarded funding to support a Zero Emission Zone in the Square Mile – an objective of its draft transport strategy.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Funding breakdown

Idling Engine Action Project - £500,000

Clean Air Thames - £500,000

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the London Borough of Camden

Camden has a proud, rebellious spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems, and to bring about real social change.

About the Cross River Partnership

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is a non-profit and impartial partnership organisation that has been delivering positive change for London’s residents, businesses and visitors for 25 years. Cross River Partnership’s (CRP’s) vision is to work with its partners to make London the best possible place it can be – Delivering London’s Future Together. Since its flagship bridge-building projects across the River Thames, CRP has continually diversified to deliver an array of innovative projects that contribute to the community, environmental and economic health of London – engaged people, clean air, strong businesses, great places.

Media Enquiries

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 07388 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk