Boris Johnson launches plan for cleaner air in London

Date: 6/10/2009

London mayor Boris Johnson has proposed a number of measures to help clean up the capital's air.

Among the plans are converting buses to hybrid models and investing in cycling throughout the city.

Mr Johnson highlighted 2012 as being a date when all eyes would be on London and consequently said that he wanted it to be seen as a "greener and less polluted city".

"I want to improve the quality of life for Londoners," he said.

The mayor also highlighted the benefits of the Low Emission Zone, noting that it was "effective in deterring the dirtiest and older heavy goods lorries, buses and coaches from driving on our streets".

Among the proposals is a new rule that taxis should have an age limit of 15 years starting in 2012 and decreasing to ten years in 2015.

Since 2000, cycling levels on London's roads have increased by 83 per cent, while the number of people on bikes being killed or seriously injured has fallen by nearly a third.