One of London’s worst polluted areas has been given £1 million funding to tackle poor air quality.
Marylebone will become a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) after being awarded the money by the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund.
However, Hammersmith and Fulham Council missed out on its application to have the Hammersmith Gyratory listed as a LEN .
The awarding of the scheme to Marylebone will see Westminster City Council and private sector partners match the amount given by the Air Quality Fund.
The money will be used to introduce a raft of new measures including:
- Creating a new building energy efficiency scheme
- Increasing patrols by ‘Air Marshals’ to enforce no engine idling
- Improving public realm spaces and creating greener spaces
- Introducing play streets for families to enjoy
- Vehicle delivery plans to reduce traffic
- Piloting a dedicated and bookable residents’ electric vehicle charging point scheme
Marylebone suffers some of the highest pollution levels in the capital, with the area’s location, mix of land uses, building density and type, and number of vehicle trips all contributing to the problem.
It is also between major transport routes which results in a complex urban air quality problem with levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that exceed recommended health levels and very high levels of particulate matter (PM).
This is particularly concerning given the number of young families, schools, universities, businesses and medical facilities in Marylebone.
Cllr Heather Acton, sustainability and parking chief at Westminster City Council, said: “This is wonderful news for all our residents, businesses and visitors.
'Improve health and wellbeing'
“We thank Mayor Sadiq Khan for endorsing our proposals. It will mean that we can tackle air quality issues by putting in place new and innovative schemes that will have a real impact on pollution.
“This will help improve health and wellbeing and also go a long way towards creating a greener and cleaner city for everyone.
“We have worked in close collaboration with local residents, businesses and land owners, so the environmental outcomes will gather momentum, as partners benefit from each other’s experience and expertise to help build a greener Marylebone.”
Tim Carnegie, chairman of the Marylebone Association, said: “Residents of Marylebone are delighted that our community has been chosen to pilot these much needed air quality improvements.
“We look forward to bringing our Low Emissions Neighbourhood proposals to life and sharing our experience with others to benefit the whole of London.”
Penny Alexander, chief executive of business group Baker Street Quarter Partnership said: “This is wonderful news for Marylebone and demonstrates the power of partnership with the whole community pulling together to address this important issue.
“Together we will be making positive changes which complement what the Baker Street Quarter Partnership is already doing with members to achieve the same goal – cleaner air for all.”
