Minutes:
Councillor Ahmet introduced the Haringey Debate on air pollution, which she referred to as a silent killer of seven million people annually.
The guest speaker, Andrea Lee of public interest and environment law charity Client Earth, presented an overview of the issue to the Council in terms of its effects on people’s health, and how the current level of air pollution was above what was legally permissible without the immediate prospect of improvement. Client Earth had successfully brought a legal challenge to the UK Government in the previous year, which resulted in the Supreme Court requiring a clear plan from the Government. Client Earth were soon to challenge those plans produced.
In the subsequent debate, Councillor Engert noted an estimate that 310 people had died in Haringey as a result of air pollution between 2010 and 2013. She set out that air pollution may worsen once the UK leaves the European Union, and her hope that the Mayor of London will take action to alleviate the problem for the city – in particular limiting airport expansion.
Councillor Mallet, as Cycling Champion, set out that using a cycle for short journeys would improve air quality and reduce traffic. She hoped the Cabinet’s response to the recent Overview and Scrutiny report on cycling would help the Council to encourage cycling.
Councillor McShane regretted the recent abolition of the Department of Energy and Climate Change and asked the guest speaker for her view.
Councillor Newton noted the poor air quality on a number of roads across the borough, which had particularly bad effects for younger and older people, and called on the Council to take action.
Councillor Adamou set out that Harringay ward councillors had supported pollution-measurements in Green Lanes, and had called on the Cabinet Member to respond.
Councillor Hare noted that the Archway Road, as a major traffic artery, had a high level of vehicle-derived pollutants, and offered a view of air pollution in central London. He believed the new Mayor of London had an opportunity to take action against air pollution, and that the problem of air pollution would be recalled as smoking is now.
Councillor Wright also referred to the recent scrutiny review on cycling, and put forward specific recommendations that would enable Haringey to be proactive in tackling this issue.
Councillor Doron congratulated Client Earth on its success to date, both legally and in raising the profile of this issue. There was a particular issue in relation of inequality in relation to access to clean air.
Councillor Strickland set out that air pollution would limit the attractiveness of the borough for people considering where to live and raise children. He had been keen for development to limit the amount of car parking spaces, and to increase the amount of green space. Future developments such as Crossrail 2 could help reduce the impact of commuter journeys through the borough.
Councillor Weston noted 25 per cent of London school children were exposed to unsafe levels of air quality. Efforts were underway to ensure children were aware of the issues and could travel to school in a way that minimised air pollution.
Councillor Ejiofor asked when the commitment to a full review of bus services in the borough to make bus usage more effective would be implemented. He also asked whether reduced speed limits had a negative impact on air quality and, if so, whether that off-set the benefits in terms of road safety.
Responding to the debate, Councillor Ahmet thanked members for their contribution and set out some of the work undertaken in Haringey, including the Air Quality Action Plan, development of a parking policy and the Green Lanes Traffic Review underway. She shared the optimism presented by the new Mayor of London’s agenda and set out some actions he was consulting on.
The Mayor thanked Members and the guest speaker for their contributions.