Air quality and airport expansion

Air quality in London is an urgent issue. An estimated 1000 people in the capital die prematurely every year and a further 1000 are admitted to hospital as a result of air pollution. Jean has been a relentless campaigner on this issue, raising awareness of the situation and holding the Government to account for its failure to take the necessary action.

In 2008, Jean backed environmental and health organisations in urging the British Government to commit to the EU directive on air quality. It has consistently failed to do this, and Jean welcomed news earlier this year that the European Commission would begin legal action against the UK for breaches of air quality standards. 

Jean has raised this issue with letters to the local press, highlighting the worst sites in London for air pollution, and an article on the Guardian's Comment is Free site.

Heathrow and the third runway

Jean has been active in the campaign against a third runway at Heathrow.

She condemned the Government's announcement in January 2009 that it would press ahead with airport expansion, and she has spoken at a number of demonstrations against the decision.

She has also raised this issue in letters to local newspapers, highlighting the fact that the negative environmental impact of the third runway will have a detrimental impact on quality of life across the capital, and not just in the boroughs immediately around the airport. Jean has pointed out that the air around Heathrow already contains dangerously high levels of pollutants, far exceeding EU limits - the third runway will bring an extra 220,000 flights to Heathrow every year.