This continues to be hot news with regular features appearing in London papers and local news bulletins. This month Rosemary Pettit’s Resident-led Commission is taking evidence.

Rosemary notes that the background and purpose of the Commission are as follows:

Hammersmith and Fulham has the eighth highest percentage of early deaths attributable to nitrogen dioxide and to particulate matter air pollution in London, according to a report by King’s College London.  The report, commissioned by the Greater London Authority and Transport for London, estimates that this contributes to the early deaths of 203 residents per year.

In response to this, Hammersmith & Fulham Council has established a resident-led Air Quality Commission to look into the problem.  The Commission will engage with external experts and local residents in examining the causes and dangers of local air pollution and propose potential solutions to help reduce it. Hammersmith resident, Rosemary Pettit, is chairing the Commission, which will run for some 6 months and report to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

H&F was designated as an Air Quality Management Area in 2000, as it exceeds health based objectives for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. It is, therefore, required to produce and implement an Air Quality Action Plan setting out the measures the council intends to put in place to reduce human exposure to these air pollutants.  The current Plan is in the process of being updated and will be the subject of consultation in 2016.

The Air Quality Commission will:

1. Review research and data from existing studies and evidence from London and other world cities;
2. Issue a call for written evidence;
3. Invite expert witnesses to give further evidence at a public hearing;
4. Produce a report of findings and recommendations for action by central government, the Council, business and industry, organisations and residents.

The Hammersmith Society will be contributing to this, but if you would like to learn more or give evidence before the end of January, please click on this link

One of the main reasons given for the delayed decision on Heathrow Airport expansion is that the government want to see more environmental safeguards. The delay therefore provides time for the Council and groups within the borough to lobby and provide more detailed evidence