Yesterday's article in the Guardian highlights the growing concern over air pollution and the health risks associated with toxic air – from reduced intelligence to a rise in asthma deaths; heart disease to spikes in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The article also points to the appalling lack of jurisdiction over emissions on the river Thames, calling it the “wild west” in terms of air pollution.

We can only hope that this coverage hits home with Morgan Stanley.

Morgan Stanley, who are selling the site, have promised to present revised plans, but it remains to be seen what those plans are. We trust they will include a facility for onshore power, or that plans for a terminal have been abandoned altogether.

Though at the end of the day what we really want to see is a raft of legislation controlling emissions on the river and at ports all over the UK.

This is not just a local issue but one that effects everyone who lives and breathes the sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter that comes from cruise liners whilst docked. 

As campaigner, Laura Eyres, says, “The fumes that are emitted on the river simply would not be allowed if they were coming from a road in London.

It is really worrying to think what damage these fumes are causing."