In a damning report on the quality of London’s air quality, the European Environmental Agency has claimed that a total of 2,905 premature deaths in London were down to pollution in 2005.

The pollution is in the form of dangerous airborne particles (PM10s), representing some of the highest pollution levels in Britain and indeed, the whole of Europe.

But what has worried groups like The Campaign for Clean in London (CCAL), is that this does not square with official figures provided by the London Air Quality Strategy which concluded that there were only 1,031 such deaths in 2005, nearly two thirds less than claimed by Europe.

CCAL has written to Health Secretary Alan Johnson for urgent clarification as to the truth behind London’s pollution problem.

The European report is a further embarrassment for the U.K. government, having already failed to comply with Brussels rulings on the levels of PM10s. These particles are emitted by domestic heating systems, road traffic and industry.

So concerned is the government that European air quality directives will not be met, that The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), looks likely to have to file an application extending the 2011 deadline. Fines for not meeting the deadline total around £300 million.

DEFRA is far from happy at London Mayor Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend London’s third phase of low emission zones. The government is looking at what steps it can take to make the mayor re-consider his decision.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

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