New campaign in Waterloo to tackle air pollution

A new campaign has been launched in Waterloo, London, in an attempt to tackle air pollution in the city.

The campaign, entitled Air Quality Waterloo, has been set up by local residents who are concerned about pollution levels in the area.

The group is linked to the long-standing Waterloo Action Centre, which involves individuals from the neighbourhood who want to better their community.

To begin with, the main aim of the group was to tackle pollution caused from the Waterloo Bus Garage in Cornwall Road.

However, the aims of the group have expanded, and they hope to tackle Waterloo in general.

The group has launched an online petition calling for better monitoring of pollution levels around Waterloo.

"Are you worried about air pollution in Waterloo? Do you live, work, study or have children at school in the Waterloo area?" the website encourages.

In addition, the group is asking inhabitants to share their stories about air pollution, or how they think their health has suffered from poor air quality.

"The AQW have recently re-formed following new reports that invisible diesel fumes have specific carcinogenic qualities, related to lung and bladder cancers in particular," the website explains.

Although both Lambeth and Southwark councils have been approached by the group, who have asked them for pollution data, so far no information has been provided.

"There are several thriving community centres, as well as thousands of pensioners and families, living and working within 1km radius of the Waterloo transport hub," the group explained.

"But there are currently no protections in place to measure or control the growing air and environmental pollution."

On a more positive note, Waterloo Bus Garage, which is currently used for two main routes, will soon have two electric buses introduced.

As buses are one of the main contributors to pollution, it is hoped that the electric vehicles will make a huge difference.