PUTNEY AIR POLLUTION CAMPAIGNJonathan Callaway

The Putney Society

PUTNEY – KEY ACTIONS

• Putney Society public meetings

• NO2 survey of main roads and nearby residential streets

• Widely distributed press release targeted at politicians and media

• Follow-up with Wandsworth Council, TfL and Mayor’s Office

• Key achievement in persuading TfL to introduce hybrid and retro-fitted buses

PUTNEY – KEY ISSUES

• Council was not prepared to act on our data and in fact challenged some findings

• PUBLICITY MADE THE DIFFERENCE – got the parties round the table

• Putney’s problems now on the media radar – thanks to King’s College data

• Imminence of 2012 Mayoral elections was a factor

• Council genuinely motivated to address issues (Mayor holding out offer of “Exemplar” status if innovative/effective actions taken)

• But it is not in the Council’s power to tackle the fundamental problem – our High Street doubles as a major through road and a local shopping street – and it is disinclined to consider anything too “radical” and nothing which might be expensive

PUTNEY – NEXT STEPS

• More difficult, under discussion:

• Second survey focusing on PMs?

• Working with Wandworth Environmental Forum to keep pressure on Council – ensure monitoring maintained

• Engaging with Director of Public Health for Wandsworth – air quality seemingly not one of her priorities – especially to link the issue to the Active Travel agenda

• Need to find new ‘hooks’ to keep the story alive – e.g. hybrid buses are using their diesel engines in Putney

• Use the Boris bikes opportunity