UK faces fines over London air pollution

A final warning has been issued to the government by the European Commission about poor air quality in London.

The UK faces a £300 million fine for failing to respond to a warning over breaches in air quality control if taken to the European Court of Justice.

A spokesperson for the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "It's disappointing that the commission has felt it necessary to issue a second and final written warning."

London and Gibraltar exceeded EU limits of pollution after dangerous particles in the air, known as PM10s, were found in both cities.

At the beginning of 2009, a first warning was given but the government failed to get a time extension so that it could meet EU standards.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics this year showed that people who live in the countryside and have access to clean air are likely to live two years longer than those who live in polluted cities.

Posted by Joseph Hutton