Islington Gazette – Diesel charges ‘won’t change habits of drivers’

The diesel scandal, that has led to our streets being polluted with particulates that are killing and stunting the growth of children, will not be cured by a £100.00 levy on Diesel cars. Islington has the fourth highest level of this kind of pollution in the UK, after Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and The City. It’s particulate level of 17.2 mcg far exceeds the WHO (World Health Organisation) safe limit of 10mcg.
Residents Parking Permits are already ridiculously low, as little as £74.00 per year when in the real world Private Parking can cost £2,000 per year. And with only 35% of households owning a car in Islington, these residents parking permits are effectively being subsidised by the tax payer. An extra £100.00 per year levy or £2.00 per week is not going to change the habits of car owners.

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NICE Public Health Guidance No 8

  • Ensure planning applications for new developments always prioritise the need for people (including those whose mobility is impaired) to be physically active as a routine part of their daily life.
  • Ensure pedestrians, cyclists and users of other modes of transport that involve physical activity are given the highest priority when developing or maintaining streets and roads.
  • Plan and provide a comprehensive network of routes for walking, cycling and using other modes of transport involving physical activity.
  • Ensure public open spaces and public paths can be reached on foot, by bicycle and using other modes of transport involving physical activity.