Green Party calls for immediate action on Redhill Air Pollution

A Green Party spokesperson from Redhill is demanding the council investigate pro-active initiatives to tackle the problem of air pollution in Redhill.

In August 2010 Reigate and Banstead Council published it's findings into the issue of air quality in Redhill and Reigate in a detailed 47 page report. However apart from their legal duty to announce an Air Quality Management Area very little seems to have been done to resolve this issue.

In last weeks edition of the Surrey Mirror, Tory Councillor for Reigate Central, Steve Farrer, said no action was required as computer modelling predictions of possible reductions in vehicle emissions – because of improved vehicle technology – meant air quality standards would be met by 2015/16.

The council has a statutory duty to draw up an action plan stating how it intends to reduce the level of toxic fumes and meet the air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide. As of yet it does not appear that this action plan has been drawn up nor has any action been taken or will be taken in the next 5 years.

Philip Wilson, Green Party Spokesperson for Redhill West has called for tough, radical and immediate action to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and for a massive improvement in the provision of alternative modes of transport to help end our dependency on cars.

Darren Johnson, Green Party London Assembly Member, who chaired the Assembly's investigation into air quality in the capital, had found that leading health experts believe there are 3,000 premature deaths in London each year as a result of air pollution.

Phil continued to say "If action is not taken, the Council will be contributing to increased levels of asthma in children and no doubt an increase in premature deaths as health experts in London have already made the connection between poor air quality and poor health."