TfL Informs Passengers of London Air Pollution Levels

Transport for London has begun posting information on air pollution levels for passengers on its network. Including all 270 Underground stations, 2,500 bus stops and river pier signs, and 140 road side message boards. The information will be available the day before and during periods of high air pollution.  © NT Stobbs under LicenceThe information will also be available on TfL’s website, along with guidance, depending on the severity of the pollution levels. The advice will include suggesting travellers cycle or walk to work in order to avoid using cars, or reducing outdoor exercise in the case of illness, and reminding asthma suffers to use and keep their inhalers on them.

The programme is an initiative of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s, who announced the scheme following a consultation which found that 79% of respondents wanted to receive better information regarding high or very high levels of air pollution in order that they can take measures to protect their health.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said:

“I am doing everything within my power as Mayor to put the health of Londoners first. I hope that these alerts will become less and less frequent as we take steps to make our already great city a cleaner place to live, work and study in.”

TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport Leon Daniels, said: 

“We are working with the Mayor to deliver an ambitious and wide-ranging programme to improve air quality across the Capital. An important part of this work is to raise awareness and provide advice to people on how they can personally contribute to this work.”

London Air Pollution Actions

Around 9,500 Londoners die prematurely every year as a result of long-term exposure to air pollution, and 440 schools in the city are in areas in which air pollution exceeds legal levels. The city is therefore looking at enacting measures to improve the quality of air in London.

The Mayor of London is currently undertaking a public consultation, looking at actions including a £10 emissions surcharge on high polluting vehicles, including those manufactured before 2005, on top of the existing congestion charge. It is also looking at introducing and extending the ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ) earlier and beyond central London to the north and south circular.