EXTRAORDINARY DOCKLANDS
During the early 80s an economic miracle occured in the heart of East London's derelict Docklands, a massive program of re-development took place as the City expanded Eastwards, all was overseen by the London Docklands Development Corporation, headed by Bob Mellish and Reg Ward, as if by magic, a new network of roads, link tunnels, office blocks, Light Railway, and City airport appeared, all at an extraordinary pace of development, new communication links were set in place, and new luxury developments along the Thames were snapped up by buyers as the wealthy investors moved in, 'Canary Wharf' became the catalyst for change and a focus for prosperity in London Docklands.

CAN WE BEAT CITY POLLUTION?
This remarkable Development brought many jobs and proved to be an economic success at the time, but there was also a downside to this as levels of traffic pollution and noise increased, at the time local people were exposed to a massive re-construction of Docklands and no compensation was offered for the disruption in their lives due to construction dust, pollution and noise, so the LDDC were often blamed for causing this turmoil, yet, despite all of this, the development of London Docklands did bring great wealth and many jobs to an area of London that had suffered from deprivation for many years.

LONDON CITY AIRPORT
The creation of the new City Airport in the heart of London was welcomed by local businesses, but residents complained about increased levels of noise and environmental pollution from low-flying aircraft.


ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Today, despite downturns in the economy, the benefit to East London is plain for all to see, unfortunately, so is the increase in traffic, noise, and pollution, Much will be blamed on Politicians who failed to keep election promises, they have been slow to introduce a green and efficient Public Transport System worthy of this great City. Traffic jams and increasing pollution and noise from traffic has cost this Country millions of pounds a year, public health services have had to deal with the resultant adverse effects on people's health which further adds to the cost.

WHAT ABOUT THE RIVER?
An integrated Public Transport Service includes River usage too, the Thames has a network of under-used Canals that both Commercial and Public transport can exploit to the full. All of us will benefit from accessable and affordable green integrated transport, hybrid buses and monorails are the latest green technology with low carbon emmission, they are now available at surprisingly low cost. e.g. Metrail have developed a Monorail that could be used to link Westminster and Island Gardens along the Thames, offering great views to travellers, this route would help to stimulate the local Thames region, linking the DLR and Crossrail and boosting river travel. Monorails are an ideal sustainable transport solution for London's crowded Thames region,

MORE BICYCLES
Although our Roads can be hazardous for cyclists, more people than ever are 'getting on their bikes' and cycling, there is an increased demand for more cycle lanes, bicycle racks, and car-free zones, local people and visitors alike stand to benefit from a car-free environment without road traffic and noise to blight their shopping and sightseeing experience, in the long run there needs to be legislation passed that will help to seperate pedestrians from dangerous road traffic altogether.

ABOUT THE PEDESTRIAN
Let's face it, no pedestrian enjoys being stuck on a tiny obelisk in the middle of a main road waiting for the other half of the traffic lights to turn to red while menacing traffic hurtles past within inches, if brightly lit underpasses with attendant toilets are created people will feel safe to use them, we must encourage pedestrians to use safer routes that include bridges too, all can be linked to their favourite shopping centres.

DAILY THREAT
The London pedestrian daily faces the threat from traffic and endures intolerable levels of exhaust pollution and stress, he or she is put at further risk by ill designed measures to control the traffic chaos in our Cities, Children are especially at risk from traffic accidents while playing on the Streets or leaving school during rush-hours, London is crying out for an imaginative plan to improve the quality of life for its Citizens and visitors, all of whom wish to enjoy this great City of ours, so we propose a radical plan to improve the environment and create healthier inner cities.

BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE
We must rid ourselves of the pollution hazaard from traffic that daily invades our lives and destroys the living environment, road side tests have proved that vehicles stopped by traffic lights create a serious build-up of carbon monoxide, dangerously high levels of combustion toxins not only threaten the health of local people but of vehicle Drivers too.

THE IMPACT ON HEALTH
Consistantly high levels of toxic emissions measured in inner city areas are suspected of having contributed to increasing numbers of School children suffering from Asthma attacks and general poor health.

In America, research produced figures which showed that inhaling car exhaust toxins over a long period could result in far more fatalities then actual road traffic accidents measured over the same period. that's why it is urgent that Government adheres to the principals they agreed at Kyoto, and acts accordingly to tackle this scourge of inner City traffic pollution, it is an environmental 'blot on the landscape'progress.

MORE RESEARCH
Research into Pollution from vehicle exhaust emissions is now well documented and shows that exhausts emit particles of hydro-carbons amongst other harmful substances and carcinogens, once lodged in the lungs they can cause cancer, etc. A number of recent tests proved that levels of pollution measured by London's local Authorities exceeded danger thresholds set by the European Commission, the concentration of high rise building in City centres compounds the problem by trapping dust, fumes and other harmful substances in confined areas.

Long exposure to leaded petrol and diesal fumes may be the cause of retardation and hyper-activity in children and young adults, it was noted during the 80s Docklands boom that many local applicants for City jobs were turned down, being described as 'unemployable' by some City firms, more urgent research needs to be done on this subject.

SHARING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
After years of talk, we still wait for the Government to tackle the inner City environment, despite high minded decrees at World Conferences like Rio and Kyoto,.the threat to sustainability from man-made pollution is still to be confronted, the fact is, many Local Authorities, Developers, Planners and Politicians ignore their responsibility to the local Environment and 'Agenda 21'. Promises on recycling have not yet been kept, the vehicle is still given priority in all their plans and constructions over concepts for 'people friendly' Cities.

THE RADICAL COMMUNITY PLAN REALLY WORKS Too many traffic-lights slowing and stopping traffic, not only cause pollution but driver stress too, a frequently stopped or slowed driver tends to become frustrated and stressed, an agitated driver may suddenly decide to 'rat-run' through a residential side street to escape main route congestion, the driver in a hurry is not good news and could easily result in a serious accident, stressed drivers often exhibit aggressive behaviour towards other road users, the Press has reported increasing incidents of 'road rage' in recent years.. OUR RADICAL PROPOSAL London communities propose a radical plan that would improve the Inner City environment dramatically simply by removing traffic lights on select major routes in and out of the City, (this idea is now supported by our new Mayor Boris Johnson) Lights could be replaced with regulating speed cameras, to control traffic speed on 'free-flowing' roads, this would reduce the daily snarl-ups and eliminate the urge for drivers to rat-run through London's residential areas, reducing pollution at a stroke. Pedestrians should be encouraged to use safer crossing routes by providing them with a modern brightly lit underpass including attendant toilets, etc. they would link pedestrians directly to shopping areas, allow traffic to flow freely above with as few stops as possible. people would get to work on time and there would be a reduction in road fatalities, not to mention the improving environment and huge economic gains from this plan, it would reduce driver stress and enhance City life for all, comuters, visitors, shoppers and local residents. This may all sound like 'Utopia' but Its simplicity itself, it is like the 'safety pin', it really works, all that is required is the political will to act, so read on ....... ROAD HUMPS OBSOLETE? No more rat-runs would mean no need for road humps, they were originally designed to discourage rat-run drivers from speeding in built-up areas, unfortunately they often fail to protect the local citizens from a determined driver intent on getting to work on-time. Coming off a busy thoroughfare and taking a short-cut through a residential area is likely to increase the risk of accident. GET RID OF THEM Local pedestrians expect humps to slow traffic so they tend to cross the street under a false sense of security, drivers in a hurry tend to accelerate between road humps, badly designed '3 in a row' humps encourage approaching vehicles to jockey for position in order to cross over them, they are dangerous and a complete waste of taxpayers money, they should be removed forthwith. INVESTING THE BIG SAVINGS Discarded traffic-lights, road-humps (did we hear you cheer?) and cut Journey times would save huge sums of money, this could be invested in creating a modern integrated and efficient Public Transport system that this great City desperately needs, City dwellers, commuters, visitors, and local residents would greatly benefit from more money for the environment, with more greenery and trees being planted along kerbsides, more 'people friendly' areas for relaxing and shopping in, all helping to enhance the quality of life for everyone. The green challenge is now to start building a sustainable future.

NOW ABOUT CONGESTION CHARGING
Previous Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced congestion charging amid concern that it might further increase snarl-ups and pollution, some felt a devious politician might abuse it by encouraging even more vehicles to enter the city, so far, the jury is still out, it is claimed initial administration difficulties have been overcome, and it may be introduced in other Cities of the UK, We hope that all monies received will be wisely invested in efficient modern Public Transport for London.

BEECHING AND MARPLES ERA
The promised vision of efficient integrated and reliable Public Transport still seems a long way off, elected Politicians must keep their promises and introduce a transport system worthy of this great City, we mus be rid of the residues of the 'Beeching and Marples' era. Meanwhile Public health continues to be effected by intolerably high levels of pollution from vehicle emissions as politicians debate on how to achieve a Public Transport System fit for the people of London. After so long, isn't it time to invest in a Public Transport system worthy of this great City?

HYBRIDS
When it comes to Public Health radical solutions are already being taken by manufacturers of vehicles, the desperate need to reduce dangerous emission levels from Traffic pollution is obvious, while City GPs struggle to take on extra patients, many with respiratory problems, etc. the urgent need for action NOW is underlined to improve the City environment and general Public health.

MORE ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY
In the long run, car exhaust Pollution from the internal combustion engine threatens everyone's health, whether we live, work or play, in the City, fortunately, New 'green' car technology is being developed. Many leading Companies are beginning to diversify by investing in environmentally friendly vehicles, NEW technology means cars can run on gas or electric cells (or both) with good results, City pollution has become a scourge, it brings poor health to everyone and drains the resources of The National Health Service, and makes no economic sense at all.

WORKING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Improving environmental health depends on positive action by Government, Working for a sustainable future is the only choice worth contemplating for a healthy, happy, and prosperous future.

MAKING THE CHOICE
We cannot afford to over-burden the National Health Service with illnesses due to a poor inner City environment. it must be clear, even to a simpleton, that the continued use of that infernal combustion engine in our Cities, will lead us no-where, we must all make the choice to work for a sustainable future, the technology that exists today can greatly improve our quality of life, it requires some courage to act for a sustainable future, but there is no other alternative worth contemplating.

To sustain a Planet fit for habitation, leadership 'while thinking Globally' must also 'act locally' to enhance the City environment in accordance with the principals of agenda21 and Kyoto.....

Say NO to Le Belching CAR!

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