Updates, 2020

‘Eco’ wood stoves emit 750 times more pollution than an HGV, study shows. Only ecodesign stoves can be legally sold from 2022 – but experts say the standard is shockingly weak (The Guardian, October 9, 2021

Letter to Government calls for action on air pollution: KEF is one of the signatories to Mums for Lungs' letter to Secretary of State for the Environment, December 2020.

Air pollution where girl died in London 'should have been treated as emergency' Inquest into Ella Kissi-Debrah’s asthma death hears Lewisham council was slow to tackle issue, The Guardian, 30/11/20.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/30/air-pollution-girl-died-london-should-have-treated-emergency-ella-kissi-debrah 

Kingston’s Air Quality Action Plan, November 2020
Kingston’s Air Quality Action Plan commits the Council to improving air quality across the borough working with residents, communities, businesses and partners. The plan was shaped by Kingston residents following Kingston’s Citizens’ Assembly on Air Quality last year which brought together 38 randomly selected people from the borough to develop recommendations on how to improve our air quality. This was the first ever citizens’ assembly in the UK to focus on air quality. More information about the event can be found on our website and footage can be watched on Youtube, as can an overview of the event. The Air Quality Action Plan includes removing pollutants from school boundaries, planning and enforcement, greener transport and infrastructure, awareness raising, each with a number of actions which will reduce air pollution and contribute to a cleaner, greener, healthier Kingston for everyone. You can read the Air Quality Action Plan and give your feedback at kingstonletstalk.co.uk/aqap until 17 January 2021.

Ever wondered who doesn’t want cleaner air? Some answers at https://www.desmog.co.uk/2020/10/05/revealed-lobby-groups-backed-big-brands-fighting-against-air-pollution

Covid-19: Cities round the world are noticing improvements in air quality ('It's positively alpine!') with less traffic on the roads during the lockdown, and are giving more street space to cyclists and walkers in response to the coronavirus crisis. The normally highly polluted Milan is one of them - read about it here.

 

2019

Citizens' Assembly on Air Quality, hosted by Kingston Council in November-December 2019 - read the Assembly’s report and recommendations here and an account of the Assembly by one of the speakers here.

Air Quality – Frequently Asked Questions, by Stephen James of the Environment Trust, April 2019

Air pollution is damaging our environment and our health. Up to 40,000 early deaths are attributable to air pollution each year in the UK. Air quality is an important issue for the environment and for health and well-being. Research about air quality is wide-ranging, detailed and complex. Some questions arise frequently in public discussion. There is a need for short, clear and accurate answers, together with pointers to comprehensive information. The questions and responses at https://e-voice.org.uk/kef/faqs/one-faq?faq_id=39185705 are a selection. Local AQ map below - most polluted spots in red, then yellow.

 

KEF's September 2016 statement on local air quality - and what we should do to improve it can be read at http://e-voice.org.uk/kef/assets/other/kef-statement-on-local-air-qua

If you're interested in air quality and pollution - and who isn't? - you can keep up with local and national developments and news in the Make Air Safe and Clean (MASC) Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/MakeAirSafeClean/ and/or join the new Kingston Clean Air Now (CAN) group, a cross-community campaign about Kingston's polluted air with a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/376862079764252 and a website http://kingstoncan.org.gridhosted.co.uk/

KEF response to the consultation on Heathrow expansion, May 2017, objecting to expansion largely on air quality and sustainability grounds. KEF members have continued to attend meetings and consultation and respond negatively to the prospect of expansion of Heathrow and air travel.

 Letter / press release sent to Surrey Comet and other local media, May 2017:
"Walk to School Week this year is from 15th to 19th May – if you are a parent, why not give it a try? According to the charity Living Streets “walking to school makes children feel healthier and happier, while reducing congestion and pollution outside the school gates”, and the Living Streets website provides ideas and resources for families and schools that will help make the walk to school fun.

But fun or not, you may be persuaded to take to your feet by the knowledge that sitting inside a car can be more dangerous for your children’s health than walking or cycling or scooting to school. Air pollution inside cars is worse than that on roads or pavements because the air intakes of cars are so close to exhaust-pipe level, and community monitors in nearby Kew found that school drop-off zones were 3 times more polluted than other roadsides. Children suffer the worst effects from air pollution because their lungs are still developing and may never fully develop if regularly exposed to pollution.

Roadsides may not be the healthiest places to walk, but if you choose quieter roads and walk on the inside of pavements, as far from the road as possible, you can reduce the risks to your children - and it will still be healthier than taking the car. And if you manage to walk to school for a week, maybe you could manage it for longer?

Yours faithfully

Marilyn Mason
Co-chair, Kingston Environment Forum"

 

Useful websites

       Kingston Council documents:

      Other AQ data and campaigns