'Nice ideas on the environment, but will Boris deliver?' - Tuffrey

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Jul 2009

Mike Tuffrey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Environment Spokesperson, commenting on the Mayor's environmental proposals set out in 'Leading to a greener London - An environment programme for the capital' said:

"The Mayor's environmental policy director has certainly produced a document with attractive ideas. The question is whether nice ideas add up to the promised programme of real action to meet the huge challenges we face.

"While the document paints an attractive future, it fails to set specific targets saying what the mayor intends to achieve and by when - from recycling to improvements in air quality, the document is noticeably lacking in any measurable targets on the big issues. It provides no indication as to how many of the aspirations will be funded and from where.

"The only conclusion is that this is a programme that literally fails to stack up into a plan.

"Most importantly, having failed to implement the third phase of the Low Emission Zone there is sadly little evidence to show how the Mayor will end the scandalous situation of 3,000 Londoners dying prematurely due to London's appalling air quality."

"Ultimately this document is long on good intentions, but incredibly short in setting out what Londoners can expect to be achieved and by when."

Ends