Commission likely to condemn UK dirty air inaction

The European Commission is likely to decide tomorrow on another crackdown on UK failure to comply with EU clean air standards in regard to pollution due to particles from diesel vehicles, power plants and factories. This could lead to a European Court judgement and a fine.

London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford, a long time campaigner for cleaner air in the capital, said:

"It is shameful that a Labour government and Tory Mayor have jointly failed to deliver action to reduce dangerous airborne particles. No Londoner wants money down the drain on European Court fines, but nothing else seems to push Labour and Tories into action."

"They should be spurred by the appalling health impact. These nasty particles can cause asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. Recent research revealed that poor air quality in London could be responsible for up to 8,000 premature deaths a year. The lax response of the government and Mayor to this health emergency is a betrayal of Londoners."

"The Liberal Democrats are the only party campaigning on local, regional, national and European levels to clean up London's air. Besides opposing crazy pollution-increasing airport expansion, we propose a Berlin-style Clean Air Zone in the capital to fully tackle air pollution."

Sarah has long campaigned on improving London's bad air quality. Last month she and her London Liberal Democrat colleagues Ed Davey MP and Mike Tuffrey AM sent incoming environment commissioner Janez Potočnik a letter demanding that he make enforcing the EU's strict air quality standards in London the first item on his 'to-do list'. She has also been active in the campaign against the 3rd Heathrow runway and expansion of London City Airport, highlighting how this would only worsen London's air quality problem.

ENDS

Note to Editors

1. In May 2009 the United Kingdom applied to the Commission for a time extension regarding its 'PM10' dirty particles clean-up obligations. Due to a lack of adequate plans to reduce the dangerously high levels in the Greater London area in particular, a requirement of gaining such a time extension, in December 2009 the European Commission rejected the UK's request.

2. The expected 'Reasoned Opinion' is the second stage of the Commission's infringement procedure against a member state. The Commission issued the United Kingdom with a first written warning, or letter of formal notice, on 29 January 2009. If the United Kingdom doesn't provide a satisfactory response to the Reasoned Opinion then the Commission may be forced to refer the United Kingdom to the European Court of Justice, where the UK could be faced with large fines.