WE ALL know that pensioners and other vulnerable people can be particularly at risk each winter, but summer heatwaves can also prove lethal.

The high levels of air pollution in London mean that people with respiratory problems are at risk because of the hot weather. An average of 3,000 people are estimated to die prematurely in London every year as a result of air pollution. But that figure could be higher during really hot years. The Mayor of London and the Government need to act quickly, decisively and urgently to deal with this threat to Londoners' health.

The mayor could start by targeting black cabs, which are responsible for a third of the particulate pollution in central London. He could also reverse his decision to drop the mid-year inspections for taxis, which previously resulted in 2,300 cabs being taken off the road and cleaned up each year for being too polluting.

We need to learn lessons from the Paris smog of six years ago which contributed to thousands of excess deaths during the August heatwave.

COUNCILLOR DARREN JOHNSON AM Green Party Member

London Assembly By email