London TravelWatch comment on the coroner’s ruling on the contribution of air pollution to the death of nine year old Ella Kissi-Debrah

16 December 2020

Commenting after the coroner’s ruling on the contribution of air pollution to the death of nine year old Ella Kissi-Debrah, Director of London TravelWatch, Emma Gibson commented: ‘Our thoughts are with Ella’s family and her death highlights why improving air pollution levels in London is so important. Londoners enjoyed breathing cleaner air at the start of the pandemic as people made fewer journeys by car and walked and cycled more, but in recent months we have seen worrying signs of a car led recovery. Our research with Transport Focus shows that 40% of Londoners are expecting to use their car more when the pandemic is over, especially those who have children.

It is essential that buses in London are given more priority and that fares are kept low if we are to tempt people away from their cars and improve air quality for everyone living, working and moving around the capital.’