On Thursday 6th October, members of Healthy Air Leicester and Leicestershire held a candle-lit vigil outside the full council meeting in the Town Hall. It is estimated that 250 people die prematurely every year as a result of air pollution in Leicester. In their 'Air Quality Action Plan', the City Council state that the only way to bring pollution levels down to the legal limit will be to introduce an Ultra-Low Emission Zone for all vehicles. However, they do not plan to do this for 10 years! This delay will result in more premature deaths and more lives blighted by illness. We believe that 10 years is too long to wait for clean air and they should be aiming to introduce the Ultra-Low Emission Zone within the next 5 years.
As the councillors left the meeting, many noticed the candles and stopped to speak to the campaigners. Some were surprised to learn about the health effects of air pollution, which shows that we still need to continue raising awareness!
As the councillors left the meeting, many noticed the candles and stopped to speak to the campaigners. Some were surprised to learn about the health effects of air pollution, which shows that we still need to continue raising awareness!