Despite Kensington’s many parks and tree-lined streets, this is the most polluted borough in the UK. Three major roads slice west to east - the A40 Westway in the north, the A4 Cromwell Road/Knightsbridge through the heart of Kensington, and Fulham Road in the south. Each is packed with cars, taxis, vans and lorries polluting their way through our neighbourhoods.

To add to the toxic cocktail, North Kensington’s Paddington line runs numerous diesel trains, both passenger and freight. These trains belch their way past peoples’ homes, as well as Little Wormwood Scrubs recreation ground - one of the few open green spaces in this part of the constituency.

The deadliest pollutants in Kensington are the ones we can’t see, such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Particulates (PM2.5) from diesel vehicles and trains, proved to cause cancer as they pass right into the bloodstream, are the more visible pollutants and were responsible for the smog we suffered last April. Not only is Kensington the unwilling recipient for many of these pollutants, but they also exceed safe levels on a regular basis.

The health consequences of this pollution are significant. Public Health England tells us that one in 12 fatalities in the borough is attributable to air pollution; that’s 68 avoidable deaths a year.

We need a positive green agenda for Kensington to reduce levels of pollution and mitigate its health consequences for residents across the whole constituency. I have several innovative proposals in concert with the Labour Group of Councillors in Kensington: 

1. Green the Westway. This is one of the major sources of pollution in the area, and is of particular concern as it runs alongside sports pitches. We support local campaign Green Westway’s proposals to build a green canopy around the entire length of the elevated section. The flora and fauna would significantly reduce the amount of pollution spilling into the surrounding neighbourhoods along the Westway, and in Kensington more generally.

2. Reduce diesel emissions. This would tackle another major source of pollution in Kensington - diesel locomotives on the railway through North Kensington. I propose electrifying the system ending the use of highly polluting diesel trains. We also need robust and workable efforts to tackle emissions from taxis, vans and lorries.

3. Enforce the '20's Plenty' campaign, which limits the speed of all traffic to 20mph. RBKC refuses to consider this, even though limiting the speed for all traffic significantly reduces the amount of air pollution and makes it much safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

4. Support ‘Space for Cycling’ campaign and insist that Kensington adopts dedicated cycleways where practicable, including the Cycle Superhighway.

The Honorary MP for Kensington says nothing about these issues. He appears to have little regard for safeguarding the health of Kensington’s residents, despite this being an issue that affects everyone regardless of income, location, or voting preference.

Kensington needs an MP to represent all of its residents. We need a voice in Parliament to safeguard peoples’ health and Kensington’s environment. I will be that voice.