London 'may see traffic-free days to boost air quality'

The Mayor of London has hinted that traffic-free days could be on the cards in the capital city in a bid to improve air quality.

Speaking at the London Assembly last week, Boris Johnson said: "If we cannot get the emissions down, we may have to have traffic-free days."

According to the Hackney Gazette, areas that could see a ban on vehicles include Shoreditch and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Certain sites in the capital recorded levels of nitrogen dioxide that were above safe limits in 2009, the publication reported.

Darren Johnson, leader of the Green Party in the London Assembly, has criticised the mayor's approach to emissions reduction.

He warned that road closures could begin this summer because the EU rejected Britain's request to extend the deadline for dealing with particulate air pollution in London.

If a similar plea relating to nitrogen dioxide levels is also quashed, more widespread closures are likely, Mr Johnson added.

Britain could face a fine of up to £300 million for failure to comply with EU legislation surrounding air quality.

Posted by Claire Manning