While the first passenger journeys took place as the new Hybriflex train left Marylebone station last week, we have also secured funding to pay for Breathe Easy Monitors at six new locations affected by poor air quality, including schools.
The readings will be analysed by Imperial College. Council Officers will distribute the results.
Hopefully, readings will give us more evidence to strengthen our Clean Air Quality Campaign, particularly around the Marylebone Station.
The roll out of the new trains will take at least five years so we must keep the pressure on Chiltern Railways and the Department of Transport.
We have also secured funding for IQAir CleanZone Air Filtration systems at the Fourth Youth Club plus five years' worth of filters. Hopefully, the highly polluting class 68 locomotives will be withdrawn from service and the remaining trains fitted with the batteries and there won't be a need for filters beyond 5 years.
These investments underpin our aim to support improving air quality around Westminster for everyone, especially children and young people.