
Britain is facing legal action over its failure to meet European air quality standards, and Southampton is among those which have regularly exceeded the limits for pollutants. The UK is likely to incur substantial financial penalties for the infringements. The Greens have pledged to take urgent action to improve Southampton's air quality.
to apply for an extension, showing either disregard for the legislation or recognition that it would not meet the conditions.
The intention is to send the application to the commission "as soon as possible" after the connsultation has closed on 10 March.
Chris Bluemel, prospective Green candidate for Southampton, said: ''Breathing heavily polluted air puts people in Southampton and other urban areas at greater risk of developing asthma, other respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. This is why the legislation is there. It is false economy not to implement air quality standards, as there will be increasing demands on the NHS. It is also an issue of social justice, as it is the poor who tend to live in the most polluted areas.''