Author Archives: Simon Birkett
M4 bus lane removal in disarray after another flawed consultation
Posted on Posted onTAG Unit 3.3.3c The Air Quality Sub-Objective Consultation makes mistakes of both fact and law, that are so basic that, in our view, the Consultation, in order to be meaningful, should be undertaken again ‘Clean Air in London’ (CAL) lodges formal … Continue reading
Landmark legal victory for ClientEarth
Posted on Posted onSupreme Court declares UK in breach of nitrogen dioxide legal limits and refers case to the Court of Justice of the European Union Simon Birkett, Founder and Director of Clean Air in London, said: “Congratulations to ClientEarth on its landmark … Continue reading
‘Tube dust’: broken promises, ‘blind eye turned’ and duty breached
Posted on Posted onPromises broken about informing the public about ‘tube dust’ Mayor of London ‘turning a blind eye’ to repeated warnings from scientists and others of the dangers of airborne particles including in underground rail systems Mayor of London breaching ‘General transport duty’ … Continue reading
Right wing anarchists lobbying EU Environment Ministers to weaken health protections
Posted on Posted on‘Year of Air’ in 2013 Government is expected to lobby for weaker public health protections at an informal meeting of EU Environment Ministers in Dublin next Monday and Tuesday Instead, we must hammer harmful emissions against the anvil of air … Continue reading
Effective local action on air pollution in London
Posted on Posted onPresentation at Mapping for Change conference ‘Effective local action on air pollution in London’ at University College London on 17 April 2014. Details at: http://www.mappingforchange.org.uk/mapping-for-change-to-host-air-pollution-conference-in-april/ Useful links https://twitter.com/cleanairlondon and https://www.facebook.com/CleanAirLondon 1. Keith Taylor’s guide: ‘Air Pollution: The Invisible Killer’ http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/air-pollution/ 2. Smog … Continue reading
Investigation into Government’s failure to control carcinogenic diesel exhaust
Posted on Posted onGovernment has sought to blame European engine emission standards for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) for its failure to comply with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limit values as part of its lobbying, with the Mayor of London, to weaken NO2 laws Investigation … Continue reading
Air quality in hospitals may be no better than warehouses
Posted on Posted onInvestigation needed into indoor air quality guidance and compliance in healthcare premises Department of Health guidance for healthcare premises has not been updated to ensure compliance with BS EN 13779:2007 which sets standards for the selection of air filters to achieve … Continue reading
Clean Air in London Awards 2013
Posted on Posted onBianca Jagger, Founder and Chair of The Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, receives award and special mention Inaugural Clean Air in London Awards recognise 24 contributions to improving air quality Keith Taylor MEP (Green) joins four MEPs and others as … Continue reading
Smog expected to hang over the Supreme Court on Thursday
Posted on Posted onSmog is expected to hang over the Supreme Court as it hears the most important air pollution case for a generation NO2 laws are the most powerful tool citizens have to hammer down carcinogenic diesel exhaust and other toxic pollutants from … Continue reading
Campaigning on Air Pollution in 2013, the EU Year of Air
Posted on Posted onPresentation to a fringe session at the Green Party Conference on 23 February 2013 chaired by Jean Lambert MEP and Keith Taylor MEP. See http://greenparty.org.uk/conference.html
Mayor’s backward steps, wish lists for others and failure to tackle air pollution
Posted on Posted onMayor has today lost control of his own destiny. It is now up to ClientEarth and the Supreme Court or the European Commission to force action The Mayor of London has announced today plans for air quality measures in his … Continue reading
Tube dust is not ‘safe’
Posted on Posted onHealth and Environment Committee air quality work programme Clean Air in London (CAL) congratulates the Health and Environment Committee (Committee) on the publication of ‘Air pollution in London – Issues paper’. The paper provides a clear, concise summary of current … Continue reading
Mayor’s plans for tunnel between Silvertown and Greenwich peninsula are unlawful
Posted on Posted onObjection to the option of a new road tunnel between Silvertown and Greenwich peninsula Mayor should be prioritising measures to reduce air pollution, not increase it. In any event, breaches of air pollution laws must be mitigated in full and … Continue reading
Mayor must stop financially incentivising carcinogenic diesel exhaust
Posted on Posted onConsultation on proposed changes to the Congestion Charging Scheme (Greener Vehicle Discount) Dear Sir or Madam I am writing on behalf of Clean Air in London (CAL) with comments on this consultation, which closes on the 8 February. CAL is … Continue reading
Most-read stories of 2012
Posted on Posted onA look back at the media releases and campaign letters that proved the most popular in 2012. January ‘Clean Air in London’ lodges complaint over breaches of air pollution laws in London http://cleanairinlondon.org/legal/clean-air-in-london-lodges-complaint-over-breaches-of-air-pollution-laws-in-london/ Guide to health impacts: ‘Invisible’ air pollution … Continue reading