Friday 11 January 2019

Traffic pollution: a test case which could cause the world to wake up

The death of a little girl in Lewisham from an asthma attack may soon attract headlines beyond these shores. Her mother and other campaigners have succeeded in obtaining a fresh inquest. If this finds that illegal levels of air pollution caused, or were a major contribution to, her death, government at national and local level will sit up and take notice.

It is not as if the South Circular, bad as it is, is the worst offender. Hafod-yr-Ynys in Crumlin is regularly cited, and I would cite Birmingham, situated in a bowl as it is and addicted to the motor-car, as lethal during a period of temperature inversion.

There are even more deadly cities elsewhere in the world.There is respect overseas for our courts and a key decision here will, one hopes, stir authorities into action.


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