I visited one of the most polluted spots in the borough this week to talk about air quality and what the council is doing about it.

Around 9,000 people die every year in London because of poor air quality. Pollution, especially from diesel cars, is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. This especially affects the most vulnerable in society, including children and older people. There is also a connection between poverty and poor air quality because people with less money are more likely to live close to busy roads.

Ealing Council was recently awarded Cleaner Air Borough status which recognises the work we are doing locally to make things better. We are also lobbying the Mayor of London and the government to ask for more to be done to clean up the capital’s air. Watch the short video above for more detail on what we are asking for and why we think its important.

We can all do our bit by cycling and walking more, especially over shorter distances. Help is available when switching from four wheels to two wheels and information on free cycle training and bike maintenance can be found on the council’s website.

I myself am a very keen cyclist and never tire of promoting the health and environmental benefits of cycling. We have established a Cycling Commission in Ealing and are meeting with experts from the UK and abroad to make cycling safer and more accessible in the borough.

And for those that would rather walk, but are worried about air quality; low pollution walking routes can easily be found at Walkit.com and they can sign up for air quality alerts at London Air.