What's the problem in Liverpool?
- The air is unsafe to breathe – air pollution is illegally high in 67% of local authorities and breaches levels of fine particulate matter recommended by the World Health Organisation in 83% of local authorities. This impacts the air quality of the majority of the 1.8 million people living in the region.
- People’s lives are being cut short - polluted air contributes to 1,100 premature deaths every year in the region.
- 140,000 people with lung conditions being put at high risk – toxic air can cause an asthma attack or flare-up of COPD, which can leave people hospitalised.
- Costing up to £480 million every year – toxic air is expensive and bad for business. It is costing millions of pounds and putting an unnecessary burden on health services.
We want Liverpool's new mayor to commit to:
- A bold clean air zone in Liverpool that restricts all polluting vehicles and protects people’s lungs.
- A region-wide clean air plan that commits to reaching WHO levels by 2030, reducing all pollutants and tackling toxic air around schools, care homes and hospitals.
- Further and faster investment in cycling, walking and cleaner public transport to enable people to choose healthier forms of travel.