Return of the Routemaster?
Tuesday the 6th of May 2008
Boris Johnson was voted Mayor of London this weekend. Considering the emphasis Ken Livingston placed on the need to address London’s climate change issues Boris has a hard act to follow. So, I took a look at the environmental policies in Boris’s campaign to see how seriously the new Mayor is taking his responsibility to the planet…
So here you have it, in Boris’s own words…
Oh dear… the phrase ‘polishing mud’ comes to mind; Boris seems unprepared to tackle the root of the issue - cutting pollution and CO2 emissions at source doesn’t appear on the agenda. In fact he’s even championing the return of the routemaster! Even though new ‘clean fuel fleet’ is proposed the move is still little more than a token gesture that panders to a nostalgic whim - at huge expense to tax payers. The bendy buses may not be popular but they are more economical than predecessors.
Boris is also ‘reforming’ the congestion charge - and will not be imposing Ken’s proposed £25 levy - another step back in the fight to make London greener. Capping the congestion charge or even reducing it may make all those SUV driving yummy mummies in west London happy but what about all the residents who cycle to work? More cars on the road increase pollution and make the roads more dangerous. By reforming the charge he is actively encouraging people to leave their bike at home…
As for Boris’s pledge to ban bottled water… saving on plastic is a good idea — but most offices have water dispensers don’t they? Considering that one of the biggest climate concerns in future is global water shortage, surely effort is best directed at reducing the pollution reaching our already contaminated water and finding ways to conserve supplies?
Bethan
