Air Quality Initiatives

What the problem is

Like most parts of central London, Westminster suffers from poor air quality, and consequently the Northbank does too. Improving local air quality is vital to ensuring the whole of our community has a healthy and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Working with local businesses we have been undertaking a series of activities: re-planning deliveries and services into buildings; awareness-raising campaigns; promoting walking and cycling cleaner air route and more. But we need you help to increase the overall impact.

Poor air quality in The Northbank BID area is complex but broadly the result of emissions from:

• Road traffic: (taxis, buses, deliveries and servicing vans)
• Buildings (gas from boilers)

The Pollutants of most concern are particulate matter (often referred to as ‘PM’) and Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2).

Impact

Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health, here are just a few statistics to provide some background on the threat we’re trying to mitigate here in the Northbank:

• Over 9,500 deaths in London in 2010 were attributable to poor air quality
• Air Quality in the Northbank does not meet health-based targets for NO2
• The health cost impact of poor air quality in the UK has been estimated to be round £15 billion

Free Trial for Cargo Bike for Northbank, WC2R

As part of Cross River Partnership’s Defra-funded Clean Air Villages 3 programme, we are offering FREE hours of an eco fleet bike and rider for deliveries and collections as a trial to encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles in central London. Deliveries of goods and services significantly contribute to local air pollution and by choosing this zero-emission service, organisations can help improve air quality for staff and customers, whilst reducing costs at the same time. Find out more here

The Northbank BID Cycling Map

Northbank has been working with the active travel charity Sustrans to create a brand new cycling map for the area. Designed to help inspire both seasoned and new riders to explore central London using pedal power.

The map shows how long it takes to cycle or walk into the Northbank area from several tourist attractions across the city as well as some of the main commuter hubs. It also showcases cycle parking in the area along with where you can hire a bike.

So, if you’re planning to explore London this summer or hoping to make the last mile of your commute to the office a bit healthier, we hope this map will be a useful tool. We would love you to help spread the word, so do share with friends & colleagues and loop in #NorthbankCleanerAir’

Next Steps

Every area has a unique set of challenges that contribute to poor air quality, but often these can be tackled on a local scale.