Next mayor urged to sign up to fund that could help cut fumes in London

Green groups have called on the next Mayor of London to sign up to a “Clean Lungs Fund” that would protect children by cutting pollution near schools.

The coalition of environmental charities urged the main candidates to expand the ultra-low emission zone, ban diesel vehicles at peak times and reject major new road-building schemes which increased pollution.

Greenpeace, the National Trust and others called for central London buses to run on clean fuel in 2018, and to follow Paris’s example and have the entire bus fleet making zero emissions by 2025.

Transport for London should stop licensing diesel taxis in 2020. A new green infrastructure commissioner should be appointed to raise funds for parks and green spaces, boost the number of roof gardens and create wild green spaces for all Londoners.

Stephen Joseph, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Under current plans, children born today will have started school before they have air fit to breathe.

“By expanding the ultra-low emissions zone and bringing forward the end date for dirty diesel in London’s bus and taxi fleets, paid for by abandoning unnecessary new road schemes, the next mayor can make a real difference to the health and life chances of Londoners.”