Putney Pollution Busters are a group of residents concerned about the dangerous levels of air pollution on Putney High Street. They are frustrated by the inadequate response by Wandsworth Council to protect their well-being. 

Two monitoring sites on the High Street were recently reported to be the 2nd and 3rd worst air-polluted hot-spots in London but Wandsworth Council consistently ignores residents' concerns. 

Wandsworth borough was declared an Air Quality Management Area in 2001 for exceeding the permissible amount of air quality for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and dangerous toxins called Particulate Matter (PM).

The pollutants come from a variety of sources including road traffic, boilers and construction. Elevated NO2 levels affect a wide area, with dangerously high daytime levels on the High Street itself when both vehicle and human traffic is heavy. 

We urge the council to take positive actions to reduce the levels and exposure to air pollution in order to safeguard public health and improve the  quality of life for residents.

On December 17th 2020 a landmark ruling by a London coroner stated that the death of nine-year old Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi-Debrah from a severe asthma attack in 2013 was partially caused by air pollution. This was the first time air pollution was listed as a cause of death but is unlikely to be the last if politicians do not take action on air pollution. 

We call on Wandsworth Council to ACT NOW and: 

*Install electronic warning signs at strategic points which light up/flash when air pollution is over the ‘safe’ limit

*Erect large permanent metal signs at all entry points to Putney High Street reading:  DANGER Air Pollution Zone NO IDLING

* Conduct a public information campaign including leafleting of all households in affected wards (Thamesfield, West Putney & East Putney) with street signs at strategic points across these wards 

*Feature a regular air pollution page in Brightside (delivered copies & WBC website) with key information eg about peak pollution times and how to avoid it (walk on back roads, stand back from the road at traffic lights, wear a high protection mask etc)

*Pilot a Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) in Putney High St to run in tandem with the ULEZ 

*Conduct a CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY ON AIR POLLUTION & TRAVEL in Wandsworth with legally-binding decisions