23-11-24, 09:30 PM
I don’t have to try looking at the history of London smogs as lived through them as born just after the war, living at Crystal Palace, where, due to the altitude above London, many asthmatics were recommended to live due to the normally clean air.
However when the winter weather conditions were “wrong” all the smoke from coal heated houses, the only alternative was paraffin, became trapped along with the smoke from trains , the majority being steamed powered. As you say, this resulted in the clean air act and the advent of smokeless fuel. The electrification of the train network also helped. I still maintain the worst air pollution areas in central London today is on the tube network, and for thousands it is their only viable means of transport or way of getting to work.
The introduction of ULEZ hasn’t improved air quality in the outer suburbs as it was more than acceptable before it’s introduction, but it has inflicted a lot of financial hardship on many people who are the ones least able to afford it.
However when the winter weather conditions were “wrong” all the smoke from coal heated houses, the only alternative was paraffin, became trapped along with the smoke from trains , the majority being steamed powered. As you say, this resulted in the clean air act and the advent of smokeless fuel. The electrification of the train network also helped. I still maintain the worst air pollution areas in central London today is on the tube network, and for thousands it is their only viable means of transport or way of getting to work.
The introduction of ULEZ hasn’t improved air quality in the outer suburbs as it was more than acceptable before it’s introduction, but it has inflicted a lot of financial hardship on many people who are the ones least able to afford it.
Whizz kid sitting pretty on his two wheeled stallion.