A number of recommendations to improve air quality in Islington have been put forward in a draft report to the borough council.
Suggestions include funding to investigate the implementation of a borough-wide Low Emission Zone (LEZ), low-cost cycle tracks, setting up an air quality working group and planting particular species of vegetation that can improve air quality.
The ‘Air quality – draft report of the regeneration and employment review committee’ document was put together by the council’s Air Quality Scrutiny Panel, which is chaired by Liberal Democrat councillor Greg Foxsmith.
It follows the council’s Air Quality Review, which ran from July 2012 until March 2013, taking evidence from campaigners, scientists, council officers and Greater London Authority (GLA) advisers.
The draft report will need final approval from the council before its suggested actions can be taken forward.
One of the major recommendations in the report is the need for the council to work more closely with neighbouring borough councils on specific projects, because “often air pollution in Islington was caused by sources elsewhere in London or even further afield.”
As part of this, the report proposes holding a second air quality summit with Camden borough council in Islington in 2013, following a previous summit in 2011.
The panel suggests that the council increase its engagement with businesses in order to encourage them to reduce emissions. Methods suggested include low emissions deliveries via electric vehicles or bicycles; providing showers and bike storage facilities for employees; bicycle purchase loan schemes for employees; and replacing old boilers with low-nitrogen oxide emitting boilers.