Happy New Year! 2019 is the year of the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone. But what can we do to make 2019 a healthier one in Somers Town? Fill in the comments below.
Somers Town is surrounded by major highways, is bordered by taxis ranks of cars sitting with engines on, and suffers almost-continual construction, so we have high levels of pollution.
Toxic air takes an average of six months off your life, children may fail to ever develop full lung capacity, and living 100m from a busy road, you have 2 to 3 times more pollution than elsewhere.
The map below – from London Air a useful resource with updated monitors of air quality – shows the stark differences locally: contrast Regent’s Park to the perimeter of Somers Town. The red is high levels of pollution; the blue / green low.
- What can we do?
- Their guide offers advice – wearing masks is pointless, but keeping as far from roads as possible, particularly those narrow roads with tall buildings may help.
- If you are a business, look at ways of streamlining deliveries.
- More on Ultra Low emission zone – check your vehicle.
- We need to stop drivers sitting with engines idling.
- We need to cycle or walk; not drive. Electric; not diesel.
- We need more local greening – roofs and walls.
We propose a campaign – start small to prevent pollution. So what is your view – what else can we do to protect against toxic air?
More links
The Health Effects Institute has a wealth of research on the health effects of busy roads.
State of Global Air.
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Ban cars from Somers Town. Bicycle deliveries