A Supreme Court challenge to the Government’s air quality plans began today as activists warned that the health of thousands of Londoners is at risk.
Clean air campaigners hope the case will force ministers to do more to reduce air pollution, thought to result in nearly 30,000 early deaths a year.
The Government is failing to stick to European Union limits for nitrogen dioxide emissions. James Thornton, of environmental lawyers ClientEarth, said: “Air pollution is an invisible killer that causes heart attacks and strokes, stops children’s lungs from growing properly and is linked to low birth weight.”
The appeal covers 16 UK regions, including London, where activists say clean air targets will not be met until 2025, 15 years late. The environment department said: “Air quality has improved significantly in recent decades and most of the UK meets EU air quality limits. Our plans for nitrogen dioxide set out all the important work being done to meet EU standards in the shortest possible time.”
