Lewisham sets out ‘cleaner air’ policies for next five years

A new seven-point action plan has been agreed by council gurus to cut pollution levels in Lewisham over the next five years. 

The new Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for 2022-2027 sets out a series of measures that the council will take to reduce air pollution, which has been linked to asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. 

This includes introducing up to 75 additional air quality monitoring sites across the borough, working with GPs and pharmacies to raise awareness of air pollution, initiatives to tackle wood burning and other indoor pollution, and a series of steps that will support more people to walk and cycle.  

Schools, hospitals, care homes and lower-income areas will be prioritised for monitoring.

This will help address the disproportionate impact that air pollution has on children, elderly people, people with health conditions and residents on lower-incomes.  

The council will also be creating a schools-specific Air Quality Action Plan to further protect young lungs from toxic air.

The schools’ action plan will include additional School Streets, cycling lessons, anti-idling workshops and more greenery around schools.  

Councillor Louise Krupski, cabinet member for enveironment and climate action, said: “Air pollution has been decreasing in Lewisham and London over the past few years, but there’s still much more that needs to be done to address this public health emergency. 

“Our bold new action plan sets out the tough measures that we will take to create a greener, healthier and safer borough for current and future generations.”

(Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Rufa A-zade)