London's West End launches Air Quality Strategy

In the first four days of 2015 Oxford street surpassed the annual legal limit of nitrogen oxide emissions. Anyone living in London has seen the capital veiled in a blanket smog on certain days, to which nitrogen dioxide is the greatest contributor.

NO2 is part of a group of gaseous air pollutants that results from heavy road traffic and other industrial process. It is harmful to the ozone and contributes to acid rain, but can also affect health, including shortness of breath, chest pains and lung functions.

The West End, by any urban standards, is currently one of the most polluted areas in London and the UK, affecting the health of many who live, work and visit. With 150,000 daily workers, millions of visitors and a key business hub, it is imperative that the West End be a great and healthy environment for all.

The New West End Company has pledged a commitment to reducing carbon emissions by working with its member businesses to increase air quality as part of a long term strategy.

Air Quality Strategy to reduce pollution by 2020

Called the Air Quality Strategy, the task to deliver a significant reduction in air pollution by 2020 is to prioritize actions with key member businesses.

One of the highest sources currently polluting the West End are delivery vans that clog up the streets and one of the strategy proposals is to consolidate suppliers via the West End Buyers Club, shifting to low emission vehicles and to minimize waste and waste collections. A strategy to reduce commercial vehicle trips by 40 percent is currently in place.

New rooftop gardens to filter pollutants

Elsewhere, the strategy proposes to install green infrastructure - such as rooftop gardens - to help filter air pollutants and reduce emissions from on-site energy generations.

Oxford Street and the West End will promote greater cycle-friendly workplaces and also encourage low-emission travel modes for visitors.

Businesses will have access to assessment tools to enable them to identify areas for improvement and to become greener.

London Mayor to support Air Quality Action Awards

A new annual Air Quality Action Awards will be introduced to support and promote businesses who are making London greener, and will be supported by the Mayor of London from 2017. Currently 50 business are supporting the New West emissions initiative, which is set to double by 2018 and grow to 500 by 2020.

Photo credit: New West End Company, London City Guide