Westminster flounders in "greenest borough" survey (Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats)

Westminster and City of London Liberal Democrats <info@westminsterlibdems.org.uk>

Westminster flounders in "greenest borough" survey

January 7, 2008 11:21 PM

Merlene made sure she recycled as much of her Christmas waste as possible

The London Magazine, which is handed out to 90,000 homes in London, has just published its unique guide to the "Most and Least Ecological Boroughs in London". Westminster is languishing in the bottom half of the table at number 20, which is even more unimpressive considering it abuts several Royal Parks, which give the borough a considerable advantage when it comes to air quality.

Air quality was one of the four categories in which The London Magazine analysed each borough's performance; the others were recycling, the provision of cycle paths and the amount of public green space.

Westminster came 20th overall with regard to its air quality, 18th in terms of public green spaces, a modest 8th with its number of cycle paths but a truly unimpressive 22nd when it comes to its recycling capability. This last figure is even more disappointing considering the high profile which Westminster gives its green efforts.

Top London Borough is Richmond, which is run by the Liberal Democrats, which replaces Bromley, the highest-ranked borough last time The London Magazine did the survey, in 2004. The worst is Tory-run Kensington & Chelsea.

Commenting, the prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for the West Central seat on the London Assembly, Merlene Emerson, said:

"It's truly shocking that Tory-controlled Westminster City Council comes so low in this survey, especially after all their hot air over recycling. And considering it contains three London Parks and borders another, you'd expect the air quality to at least be in the top half of the table. The Council should take a leaf out of Richmond 's book, and stop trying to fool the public over its futile efforts."