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Sadiq Khan seeks to ban wood-burning stoves in bid to tackle pollution | Sadiq Khan seeks to ban wood-burning stoves in bid to tackle pollution |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Wood burning could be banned in some of the most polluted areas of London, under new restrictions proposed by the capital’s mayor. | |
Sadiq Khan wants the power to ban burning wood in parts of the city with poor air quality, due to the fine particle pollution they cause. | |
He also wants tougher controls on the sale of wood-burning stoves, with only low-emission versions allowed to remain on the market. | He also wants tougher controls on the sale of wood-burning stoves, with only low-emission versions allowed to remain on the market. |
Under the proposals, there would be a network of “zero-emission zones” where the burning of wood or coal is completely prohibited. There are currently 187 areas of London where pollution regularly exceeds European limits. | |
In a letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove on Thursday, Mr Khan asked for greater powers to tackle non-traffic sources of air pollution. | In a letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove on Thursday, Mr Khan asked for greater powers to tackle non-traffic sources of air pollution. |
Mr Khan’s plans include curbing emissions from stoves, machinery on building sites, such as diesel-powered diggers, and boats on the Thames. | |
Around 200,000 wood-burning stoves are sold each year, and there are around 1.5 million across Britain, figures obtained by The Times show. | |
The practice is most popular in the South-east, where it is done in 16 per cent of households, compared with less than 5 per cent in northern England and Scotland. Many mistakenly believe it is more environmentally friendly. | |
Mr Khan said in a statement: “With more than 400 schools located in areas exceeding legal pollution levels, and such significant health impacts on our most vulnerable communities, we cannot wait any longer. | |
“I am calling on Government to provide the capital with the necessary powers to effectively tackle harmful emissions from a variety of sources.” | |
A spokesman for Mr Khan said: “The Mayor has written to Michael Gove discussing extra powers that could be granted to London to tackle sources of pollution that don’t come from the roads. | |
“There are different categories including pollution from the river, construction and also the discussion about wood-burning stoves. | |
“One of the proposals for 2025 is having very small zones to curb pollution caused by wood-burning stoves. | |
“It is one of a number of ideas, and it would need legislation from government; it would be at least six years away from happening.” | |
Under the Mayor’s plans, councils would get the power to enforce the ban, including the ability to carry out inspections and issue fines. | |
Air pollution causes an estimated 9,500 early deaths a year in London and 40,000 across Britain. | Air pollution causes an estimated 9,500 early deaths a year in London and 40,000 across Britain. |
A new £10 “toxicity charge” is set to be introduced in October this year, for pre-2006 diesel and petrol cars entering the London congestion charge zone. | |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is due to publish a clean-air strategy next year. | |
Press Association | Press Association |
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