Press Release: Office of Jean Lambert MEP
23 September 2005
GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK FOR LONDON’S HACKNEY CABS
Green MEP urges cabbies to help tackle air pollution threat
Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, today told taxi drivers in Hackney of the urgent need to upgrade their vehicles in order to improve London’s failing air quality. Giving a keynote speech at the Licenced London Hackney Carriage Conference in Hackney Town Hall, Mrs Lambert warned of the hazards all Londoners’ would face if Euro emission standards were not brought in.
In London’s drive to combat climate change and global warming, over 15,000 London taxis will be required to comply to Euro 3 emission standards by July 2007. The changes introduce a new structure of options for taxi drivers across the capital but with London’s air quality in breech of EU standards the new standards are welcomed by the Green MEP.
At the conference Jean explained how the EU standards are being used to require taxis to be made cleaner and greener; “London has the worst air quality in the UK so we should be supporting the Mayor’s aim to raise our air quality.”
Jean has previously raised London’s air quality problem with the European Commission after it was revealed that London broke the EU limit of 35 breaches at the end of May; “The environment in which people live has a major affect on their health. Air quality is especially important for children, older people and those with asthma. Taxi drivers, in particular, are at risk spending long hours on the road. The EU rules can benefit the environment and people’s health. It is important though, that we work with taxi drivers to make this a reality.”
Jean urged taxi drivers to upgrade their vehicles to the highest possible standards they can afford and make London’s fleet of taxis the cleanest, greenest in the world reinforcing this renowned symbol of London.
ENDS
High Resolution photos are available
For more information please contact:
Morwenna Holland, Media Officer
tel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812
email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.ukNotes to editors:
Jean Lambert: Jean Lambert was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.
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Morwenna Holland
Media and Public Relations OfficerOffice of Jean Lambert MEP - London's Green MEP
Suite 58, The Hop Exchange
24 Southwark Street
London, SE1 1TYTel: 00 44 (0)20 7407 6280
Fax: 00 44 (0)20 7234 0183Email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Web: www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
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