SIR SADIQ KHAN demands a clean-up of 'toxic air' on London's canals.
The London mayor is warning that narrowboats' old diesel engines and solid-fuel stoves pose a risk to people’s health, Roger Fox reports.
Toxic air
The mayor has been facing questions over the issue of 'toxic air' along London’s canals and the Thames, and admits he was concerned about the health impacts for Londoners who run, walk or cycle along the capital’s canal and river towpaths.
It was at a monthly phone-in session with presenter James O’Brien that Sir Sadiq Khan was asked by an East Londoner:
“Are you aware of how toxic the air is along London’s canals, especially around the Victoria Park area, and have you any plans to clean it up?”
The man, Paul, explained to the mayor that the housing crisis has forced thousands of Londoners to move onto boats, and that according to the Canal & River Trust, its number in the capital roughly doubled from a little over 2,000 in 2010, to over 4,000 by 2020. Image by Canal & river Trust.
Dirty old diesel engines and solid fuel stoves
Paul, who lives by a canal told that many of the boats use dirty, old diesel engines and solid fuel stoves, adding:
“The smell comes into the house. I’ve run 40 marathons along the canals over the years. I don’t run anymore, because the air is so polluted."
The mayor told the issue was important because breathing in polluted air has been linked with diseases like asthma, dementia, heart disease and several other illnesses, adding:
“It’s not just canals it's the Thames as well, we’re doing a number of things working with those responsible for canals and the river to try and address this issue.
“Part of it is education. Many of those who have barges and narrowboats aren’t aware that they’re breathing in this stuff, because they’re burning this stuff, or whether it’s their fuel."