Protesters ‘mask’ their fury at the A12 Blackwall Tunnel road pollution

Protesters turned up along the A12 Blackwall Tunnel approach in east London armed with face masks.

They were calling for more barriers and more trees and grass to be planted along the six-lane duel carriageway between Poplar and Bromley-by-Bow, one of London’s most-polluted main roads.

The high levels of air pollution is being monitored by Poplar Harca housing association, which manages housing estates either side of the highway, working with Friends of The Earth.

Areas with barriers or greenery were found to have lower levels of nitrous oxide—but some parts of the A12 have twice the EU legal limit.

Friends of the Earth’s David Barns said: “Air pollution is important and has to be part of town planning and developments.”

Housing officials have been door-knocking on the estates where many tenants reported having asthma or respiratory problems. Families were worried about the pollution as well as dust from a cement works.

It was worse in summer, they pointed out, when they couldn’t have windows open.

The campaigners are calling for more barriers and plantation along the A12 and hopefully get the cement works moved away.