Parents warned to ‘take care’ when taking kids outside as Sadiq Khan issues ‘high’ pollution alerts on London Tube and bus network
The Mayor of London is hoping air quality alerts will warn Londoners when they need to take action to 'protect themselves'
PARENTS have been warned to 'take care' when taking their children outside because pollution in London as air quality alerts are issued for the first time in the capital.
The alerts were placed at bus stops, Tube stations and roadsides.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has decided to put up the warnings because of 'high pollution levels' in London.
Mr Khan said: "Londoners need to know when the city is suffering from high pollution levels so they can take any necessary appropriate measures to protect themselves from poor air quality.
"This is particularly crucial for Londoners who are vulnerable, such as asthma sufferers."
The alerts are being displayed at 2,500 bus stops and river piers, the entrances of all 270 Tube stations and on 140 signs next to the busiest main roads into London with instructions to switch engines off when stationary to reduce emissions.
A spokeswoman for the mayor said the warning is expected to remain in place throughout tonight and come to an end tomorrow, although this will be kept "under close review".
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His messages comes after the urban environment forecaster, Plume Labs, put the level of air pollution in London as 'high' this morning.
The company also advised parents to 'take care' when they bring their children out and to 'take it easy' when cycling or eating outside, .
Their chief executive, Romain Lacombe, said: "We are not saying that you should not go out with your baby.
"We are advising to avoid major roads and high traffic areas."
Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner said: "The solutions proposed for dealing with the latest smog have things backwards: the first step should be restricting traffic not people.
"It’s outrageous that those with vulnerable lungs, including children and the elderly, are told to stay at home when the air is bad.
"Everyone should be able to go about their business, without being afraid of their air they breathe.
"When pollution episodes are high, the Mayor should introduce emergency traffic restrictions to bring pollution levels down quickly."