Royal Greenwich Awarded Clean Air Status

by our RBG Correspondent In Woolwich

Royal Greenwich Deputy Leader, Cllr, Danny Thorpe promoting sensible
parking in Woolwich on a previous occasion. (Credit: RBG)

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has been awarded ‘Cleaner Air Borough Status’ for its initiatives to improve air quality in the borough.

The award was given by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and particularly commended: “The continued provision of the monitoring network; the integration of air quality measures into core planning policy and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment; adoption of 20mph residential traffic zones; improved pedestrian schemes in Woolwich and Eltham; the ‘Greenways’ scheme improving pedestrian access to schools; and, the provision of electric vehicle charging points”.

Other work to address air quality improvements

The Royal Borough recently consulted on its draft Greener Greenwich Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, which set out how the council will work to reduce emissions in the borough and address current high levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution, particularly along major roads.

In the summer the council introduced the Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN) project in Greenwich West and Peninsula wards – a match-funded project with the GLA. The LEN will look at improving air quality in the area and includes a mixture of ‘smart technology’ as well as tried and tested techniques to reduce transport emissions and works to make the area a more people-friendly neighbourhood.

Councillor Danny Thorpe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainability, said: “It is gratifying to receive recognition for our work to improve air quality in the borough. We have tried to come up with innovative ways to make changes to the quality of the air locally, such as through our dedicated LEN project that is looking at what physical changes to the environment can be made, carrying out new tech trials with local residents to encourage the take-up of cleaner/electric vehicles, and to see how we can better manage the freight and transport that flows through that particular area."

“However, we are not complacent - we know that air quality is still a major concern for many residents - and we will continue to strive to improve air quality in our beautiful green borough.”

The Greener Greenwich Strategy is due to go to the council’s Cabinet meeting on 7 December.

For more information go to www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/greenergreenwich.