From wheezing (one in ten children in London has asthma) to stunted lungs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiac issues in later life, the lives of 40,000 Londoners are cut short every year as a result of an illness that is exacerbated by air pollution. Local authorities, including the GLA and borough councils, are able to reduce air pollution locally by using their powers to reduce road transport, to raise awareness of air pollution, and by encouraging residents and businesses to change their behaviour.

I am deeply concerned by the effects of air pollution on health, and that is why I was so keen to support local mum Lydia Fraser-Ward in her campaign to have an air-quality monitor installed by the children’s playground in Elmhurst Gardens, South Woodford. The playground is set in lovely parkland surroundings but it is also close to the A406, which has very high levels of vehicular pollution. Campaigning as part of the Mums for Lungs network, Lydia managed to secure funding for the monitor from Breathe London. It was installed (last) Tuesday and will inform levels of pollution, especially when they are particularly high – and will provide the data needed to guide mitigation, including ‘green walls’, to limit the damage to young people’s lungs.

I believe all playgrounds should have air monitors, and this is something that I will continue to campaign for.

Cllr Rosa Gomez

Labour, Churchfields