Release Date: 14/01/2008
Richmond upon Thames has scooped the title of London’s greenest borough.
The accolade was awarded following a survey of all 33 boroughs conducted by The London Magazine, which singled out for praise the Council’s ground-breaking scheme linking parking permit charges with vehicle emissions.
The performance of boroughs was judged across four categories: air quality, recycling, the amount of public green space, and the provision of cycle paths.
The glossy lifestyle magazine declares: “Richmond is blessed with huge amounts of green space, has an advanced recycling programme, is cycle friendly and, being on the edge of London, enjoys good air quality.”
The Leader of Richmond Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, said:
“We are delighted the borough has been recognised in this way, reflecting the efforts of the Council and many other organisations and individuals in striving for a greener future. Partnership is the key to achieving our goals.
“We aim to be an exemplar borough on sustainability and I am pleased that the magazine singled out the Council’s recycling initiatives and our pioneering scheme linking parking permit charges with vehicle emissions.
“We were the first local authority to introduce such a scheme and now many others have followed our example. We had hoped this project would be a trail-blazer and I am delighted that this has proved to be the case.”
Commenting on the parking scheme, the magazine says:
“Richmond’s triumph arguably proves that it pays to get tough.
“Now half of London’s 33 borough’s have implemented similar schemes or are in the process of doing so.
“It may have been painful at times but, arguably, the residents of Richmond now reap the benefits of clear air – assisted by rather large parks, of course.”
The magazine concludes: “Be proud, take majestic breaths, drink in the oxygen.”