Air pollution

Reducing air pollution in Westminster

Air pollution in London is higher then anywhere else in the UK. The main cause of London pollution is the millions of cars, buses, vans and motorcycles that use our roads every day.

Air pollution causes a range of health effects from subtle symptoms such as headaches, sore throats and coughs to more serious problems such as difficulty in breathing, wheezing and aggravation of respiratory conditions. The contributing effect of air pollution on medical conditions can even be life-threatening. The council has a number of projects to protect residents and visitors to the city.

Westminster council has been working to tackle air pollution since the early 1990s. We:

• have built up a comprehensive pollution monitoring network
  
• work with transport providers to clean up emissions
  
• use environmentally friendly vehicles in carrying out council work
  
• have worked in partnership with other London Agencies in the development of the London low emission zone which commenced on the 4th February 2008.
  
• Promote the use of electric vehicles through our Ecomark scheme

Click on the links on the left to find out more.