Forum Topic

Pollution levels in Putney High Street

I mistakenly thought that pollution from vehicles in the High Street had been greatly reduced. It seems I have been misled. Please see http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/conBWTUCpollution001.htmI don’t think  the article is still on the sw15 website, as it is dated 2 April. It makes interesting reading, and, rightly in my opinion, accuses the Council of ‘lying with statistics’.

Catherine Schade ● 2760d42 Comments

‘the fall has been attributed to the council successfully lobbying Transport for London for cleaner buses.’ WHAT CLEANER BUSES? The buses we have on most of the routes using Putney High Street have the most horrendous pollution and noise levels! If the mayor or the council were serious about this they would force TFL to use 100% electric buses down this road, and also have all the large retailers use vans for local deliveries, not 44 tons trucks!

Marc Blanchard ● 2759d

The levels this week will be high.  Warm weather with the Hammersmith bridge closure.  On my motorbike I was stuck outside the station today with the exhaust of a bus chucking diesel nasties at me.Why did that raised kerb get installed in the middle of the road outside just north of the Taxi rank?  It blocks cyclists and motorcyclists from getting past the logjam of cars, vans, buses an lorries.

Alan Sherman ● 2759d

Thank you for posting this, Catherine. Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union are absolutely right to call out Wandsworth council for making blatantly exaggerated claims about the reduction in pollution in PHS, and also for claiming credit for the introduction of the hybrid buses when it was TfL who actually did it. I asked for the rain to stop a little while ago and it did,  but I can no more claim credit for its stopping than the council can claim credit for any reduction in pollution.  But they are not the only ones playing fast and loose with the data: Justine Greening is at it too, making an even more dishonest claim in her Spring newsletter. She says that "changes to bus fleets and HGV deliveries have led to a 99% reduction in air pollution" in PHS. But firstly, this drop took place between 2016 and 2017, so it's not news, and, secondly she draws only on the number of times peak hourly levels of NO2 exceeded the legal limit, whilst ignoring the underlying,  average level, which has changed little in the last three years and remains at almost 50% above the legally permitted level. .There has, it's true, been some improvement in the past few years, but making ludicrously false claims does no one any favours.

Richard Carter ● 2759d

Alan there should only be about 5 taxis, if you pass in the evening there could be about 15 in the middle of the road. Some parking even by Tesco.

Barbara Stevens ● 2759d

Government science has been contradictory - not just about diesel.  It is particulates that are the most pressing threat to health, and I hope that many have signed the petition for the Odeon green living wall , absorbing emissions effectively in a High Street with few other realistic options of reducing air pollution.  Glad that our MP and three Councillors have taken this on board.Aside from vehicle emissions, it is now reported that the new fad for wood-burning stoves has added significantly (over 30%) to dangerous particulates and carcinogens in the air.  DEFRA exempt stoves are OK as long as you burn seasoned wood (dry for at least two years) but is not being policed.  Wet wood being burned is a serious problem, as are open fires, BarBQs and bonfires.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2758d

seems to have gone very quiet on the green wall front? I expect it will be raised again closer to the local elections... along with those improvements to the high street we were promised at the last ones.

Matt Palmer ● 2758d

I personally think there are too many off-peak buses in London.  Most routes run every 10-12 minutes across the day.  I am not talking about cutting routes, but if the number of bus journeys was changed to, say, every 20 minutes it would cut the number of buses causing congestion and noxious emissions, but without major inconvenience to passengers.I was the only passenger on the 39 from Tibbets Corner right down Putney High Street the other day. What a waste!

Liam Jones ● 2758d

Liam. See my post with link to The Conversation - 22/04/19 8pm changes in way/why people are travelling.

Philippa Bond ● 2758d

On the Hammersmith Bridge petition thread

Philippa Bond ● 2758d

Catherine and Richard, you do right to raise this. The council may have cut library services, Lollipop ladies (and gentlemen), meals on wheels and other services - but its "media department" is thriving and churning out its highly skewed "news" on pollution levels and much else across Wandsworth. The local unions were right to challenge the council's preposterous misinterpretation of the statistics on this occasion - and it is good that the SW15 news page published their story and provided some balance.

David Austin ● 2758d

Here's another green wall in the process of being realised.  The funding for the works at St Mary's RC Primary School in Chiswick - one of the most polluted schools in London if not the worst I think began with pledges made on Spacehive.http://chiswickherald.co.uk/major-funding-boost-for-chiswick-oasis-project-p8740-95.htm

Philippa Bond ● 2758d

Wasn't the Oasis School on the Common supposed to have one of these?Living Green Walls are the way to go on pollution control, with increasing scientific evidence that they are even more effective than previously thought.  English Ivy is particularly good at mopping up particulates.  Also the best form of insulation for heat, cold and noise.Please write to our MP and Councillor Torrington to expedite the proposed green wall on our cinema.I would love to see every inch of brickwork on our High Street covered in leaves.  Just imagine an evergreen canyon instead of what we have now.  Perhaps someone could do a CGI of what it might look like....

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2757d

Reading this, it sounds like all buses going along Putney High Street either meet Euro VI now or will do very soon:https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/improving-busesThere aren't any fully electric double-deckers in service yet, although I think TfL are currently testing them.

James Elder ● 2757d

'expedite'? Isnt it nearly a year since we had any update at all?Sounds like the proposal is dead to me, along with all the other improvements that were raised at the last local election

Matt Palmer ● 2757d

The Green Wall petition came about last August, so it would be helpful to give a polite nudge to our MP and Councillors to show support for what is an excellent all-round idea, in order to expedite its actual implementation.Maybe those involved are still in discussion with the Odeon Cinema?

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2756d

It's here I can't see an end date for signing:https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-a-green-wall-at-putney-odeon

Philippa Bond ● 2756d

https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-says-we-need-to-fight-air-pollution/

Philippa Bond ● 2756d

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/24m-funding-boost-for-black-cabsBlack cabs are wheelchair accessible.

Philippa Bond ● 2756d

We can ask about the Green Wall at the "Let's Talk" session with Councillors and Council officers at St Mary's on May 2nd.I hope that Nick O'Donnell will be there as he knows all about it.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2756d

https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/ask-the-london-mayor

Philippa Bond ● 2756d

It seems there is a chance to catch up with what is or isn't happening...  See Caroline's post above.Funds for the green wall in Chiswick were raised in several ways including using Spacehive to crowdfund pledges.  Then the Mayor London has added to it.  There are other companies and councils offering funding.  This is how a lot of projects are funded nowadays.https://www.spacehive.com/create

Philippa Bond ● 2755d

I think the hold up with the green wall was not the cinema but getting agreement from the landlord. I’ve asked for an update on all the proposed improvements so will report back when I receive it. Meanwhile good idea to ask the Councillors at the Let’s talk.

Nicola Grant ● 2753d

So chase up on those election promises!  Maybe more discussions are needed.  Andrea Carnevali who has been spearheading the campaign in Chiswick for the green wall for the schools next to the A4 is making a film of their efforts.  They have had a hitch recently with their project but they are carrying on with other plans to reduce the pollution in the schools there and may be you need to look at other projects which have been completed to find out more about them.  Several years ago there were many companies who do green walls and roofs exhibiting at the Ecobuild (now Futurebuild) exhibition at the Excel Centre. In Chiswick there used to be one on Livia Firth's former shop EcoAge on Chiswick High Road many years ago which people probably remember more from when it unfortunately started to die.  There is a hidden one on the Volkswagen building underneath the flyover on the A4 near Chiswick roundabout.  I don't know how much continual maintenance is needed and how - as that will have to be factored in somehow.

Philippa Bond ● 2753d

As I understand it the funding for the proposed living wall on the Odeon was part of the failed ‘living streets’ bid, no doubt there’s other ways it could be funded though. There’s some interesting scientific evidence on how effective plants are at reducing air pollution here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231017303151It shows that green walls can help reduce the circulation of pollutants within a canyon but you need quite a lot of greenery to have that effect, single green wall at the wider end of the high street is going to have negligible impact. Most effective is a hedge to act as a barrier between cars & people though of course there isn’t space on PHS with the current 2 way configuration. Interestingly trees in canyons can make pollution worse as they reduce airflow and trap pollution at street level. Of course the very best solution is to reduce pollution being emitted in the first place....

William Smith ● 2752d

Yep - but nobody seems willing or able to cut their car use.

Ruth Pates ● 2752d

We'll the post I've just put on is why people want to drive their own cars or put their lives at risk in mini cabs that are not checked and looked at like Black Cabs.

Barbara Stevens ● 2751d

Alas the Green Wall planned for the Odeon is dead! At the "Let's Talk" meeting at St Mary's last night Nick O'Donnell from the Council told the meeting that negotiations with the Odeon had eventually been successful, but the freeholder has persistently refused to give permission and it now seems that, sadly, the Green Wall will have to be abandoned. However there are still plans for a "City Tree" somewhere on the High St.(Google City Tree).Other matters covered at the meeting included: Lack of public toilets, problems with the Town Hall telephone service and website, air pollution, car-free days, play streets, Putney BID, squatters on URR, the Palmhouse, Hammersmith Bridge, loss of trees.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2749d

I look forward to LB Wandsworth actually DOING SOMETHING (sorry for shouting folks) to improve the environment.  The High Street is dying and the council continues with the same strategy, and the same talk goes round and round. There are many examples of what can be done - could be adapted and trialled here.  The rest of London (Westminster excepted) moves forward - come on Wandsworth.

Ruth Pates ● 2749d

Encouraging news from Amsterdam: the Times is reporting that the city "is to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles, including the boats that chug along its famous canals, within a decade as authorities attempt to tackle pollution.The city centre will become fossil fuel-free by 2030 by the phasing out of various modes of transport, and encouraging replacements such as electric and hydrogen-powered cars."Time for London to up its game. 

Richard Carter ● 2749d

Here’s something the Council could try. Edinburgh is the first city in the U.K. to try this and I suspect it might catch on. Traffic-free days begin in Edinburgh city centre:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-48139403

Jonathan Callaway ● 2747d

https://road.cc/content/news/260212-edinburgh-hosts-its-first-car-free-day

Philippa Bond ● 2747d

Maybe, just maybe, Wandsworth will try this.  Would love to see yoga in the middle of the high street as they did in  Edinburgh

Ruth Pates ● 2746d

But maybe there are other buildings?  In William Smith's post above there is the mention of how effective hedges down roads can be.  We do see these every so often and maybe we should appreciate them more!  I'm sure that they can be difficult and dangerous to maintain.  Sometimes you just see mile-a-minute growing there. Just be judicious with where you plant that...When new saplings are planted on pavements it can also be difficult for the Council to maintain them.  A good contact at the Council and helpful Councillors makes a difference.  Just knowing who to alert when the stakes are damaged or they need more water (if you can't do it yourself/in a rota with neighbours) makes a difference.I saw a lovely picture of plants around the base of trees somewhere.  Where I am someone has planted little daffodils around the street trees.  They are a joy to watch coming through in Spring.  Just make sure that the Council doesn't send out operatives with weed-killer!

Philippa Bond ● 2746d

Thanks for letting us know Caroline.  This is incredibly disappointing and short-term thinking from the Odeon freeholder, who could have scored huge PR and brownie points for making a small portion of the High Street more attractive, (and got more bottoms on seats in the cinema.)City trees have been proven to be effective, but you need quite a few to match the benefits of green walls, where all new research proves they are even more effective than previously thought.Maybe those who dream of yoga on bridges could actually get on their bikes and lobby other Wandsworth Walls to join in a real "Green Revolution", and support those who are really trying to protect green spaces in the borough.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2746d

Any schools?Any more walls to suggest?Any more suggestions?Any more funding available?

Philippa Bond ● 2744d

Caroline, did the freeholder give a reason for his refusal?

Jane Carter ● 2743d

Sorry Jane we were not told why, except that the Freeholder had been exceptionally difficult to deal with. You could Email Nick O'Donnell for more information.

Caroline Whitehead ● 2743d

There may also be consultants who can work with and support the Odeon green wall project by approaching the freeholders to allay whatever fears they have.And there are hedges that can be grown:https://www.iscapeproject.eu/university-of-surrey-measures-the-efficacy-of-hedges-at-stoke-park-in-guildford/

Philippa Bond ● 2741d

The New Scientist has a report on how cities are using walls of moss to tackle air pollution from traffic:"Walls covered in moss are popping up in major cities, along with promises that they can help reduce air pollution – but can a few square metres of plant matter really tackle the smog?Berlin-based firm Green City Solutions believes so. Its moss walls, called CityTrees, are roughly 4 square metres in size. It says they can filter up to 80 per cent of pollution particles out of the air, including the tiny ones linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.The walls collect rainwater, which is pumped through an irrigation system to … " And there, sadly, free access runs out (I'm not a subscriber). Any subscribers here who can say whether there's evidence in this report of moss walls' effectiveness?https://www.newscientist.com/article/2213755-cities-are-using-walls-of-moss-to-tackle-air-pollution-from-traffic/#ixzz5xEZwPHwc

Richard Carter ● 2639d

https://www.dw.com/en/stuttgart-builds-moss-covered-wall-to-fight-air-pollution/a-37866760The article dates from 2017 from memory. Probably more info on DW site if you use their search facility.

Katrina Black ● 2639d

As we are not going to get the Odeon green wall I have heard that the High St will be having a City Tree instead. Let's hope so!

Caroline Whitehead ● 2639d

Do many people remember when Putney High Street had four fully electric, non-polluting bus routes? Scrapped nearly 60 years ago. Sleek, silent, speedy trolleybuses, that whizzed you to Hammersmith in a matter of minutes, Clapham Junction, Tooting and even West Croydon the other way. Yes, of course there was less traffic then. The technology for electric buses has moved on greatly as can be seen in other countries, and there's now no need for streets to be overhung with ugly wires.

George Perry ● 2637d