Mayor Sadiq Khan pushes London to breathe easier
London’s big boss, Sadiq Khan, just dropped a pocket‑ful of cash—£5.3 million—to help boroughs tackle smog, keep folks healthy, and turn the city into a breath‑of‑fresh‑air zone.
Funding that’s already turning the plates on the smog stack
This slice comes from the huge £27 million Air Quality Fund (and the bite‑size help from more than £20 million in extra resources and ink‑on‑paper partners).
Where the money’s gone so far
- Made 25 new “clean‑air routes” in the nasty, humbug‑heavy pockets—letting walkers dodge up to 60 % of the bad stuff.
- Installed & upgraded 400+ electric‑vehicle chargers.
- Helped 5,300 businesses put the brakes on their emissions.
- Sprouted 3,000 sq. m. of green space + 250 trees.
- Dropped 1,300 bike parking spots & fixed 750 bikes.
- Let 17,000 pupils snag kits to learn about air quality.
The next round is all about slashing PM2.5 and getting creative
Boroughs are being asked to get together—think joint projects, no ego growth—in plazas, schools, hospitals and the like. They’re targeting:
- Cutting those tiny, lethal particles.
- Running greener events.
- Shielding kids and patients from pollution.
- Making indoor air as fresh as a London garden.
Deadline? 5 pm, 19 Jan 2024. The goal? Start these projects by April 2024.
Past wins that prove smog‑busting works
Camden’s Low‑Emission Neighborhood crushed NOx by 28%—thanks to 19 EV chargers, better crossings, cycle lanes, and a rack of dockless bikes.
Other boroughs have got tech tricks like timed school‑blockades to safe students from the scratchy air, or cargo‑bike loans to replace dirt‑cooking trucks.
London’s big smog‑slashing inc. at full speed
After launching the Ultra‑Low‑Emission Zone (ULEZ) last August, the fleet of nasty old cars shrank by nearly 50%—and now 95% of vehicles meet the hard‑to‑beat ULEZ quota.
TfL is turning every bus into a clean‑air machine, creating the continent’s biggest zero‑emission bus fleet. Plus London’s got a third of the UK’s electric‑car chargers.
Mayor’s personal pledge
Sadiq Khan isn’t just waving a green flag—he’s firing up the city design. “Air pollution is taking a toll on health. I’m on a mission to do whatever it takes,” he says. “I’m looking for fresh, clever ideas. Put on your thinking caps, maybe partner up, and score £5.3 million before 19 Jan.”
Stay in the loop
Look out for your phone or inbox for updates—because the city’s messy air matters.
