London mayor urged to take "bold action" on air quality

Mayor Boris Johnson is being urged by the London assembly to take "bold action" where the city's air quality is concerned.

In a recent report, the assembly claimed that up to 3,000 Londoners may have lost their lives in 2005 as a result of air pollution.

It was also noted that air quality in the city is below EU targets and putting unnecessary strain on the NHS, the Wandsworth Guardian reports.

Darren Johnson, chairman of the London assembly's environment committee, commented: "Reducing air pollution is not just about improving the environment in some abstract way. Our report shows that it's about saving lives."

The mayor is also being asked to consider the option of converting the city's public transport system to biofuel.

According to the Guardian, Boris Johnson may establish low emission zones around the city.