Putney High Street will be one of the first places in London to have green buses, in the next attempt to reduce air pollution. 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans for a new series of “Low Emission Bus zones” as part of the latest efforts to combat air pollution in the capital.

The plans begin with two routes, prioritising some of the worst offenders for pollution, writes Jamie McKay.

August 7: Putney High Street records largest drop in NO2 pollution in London after banning HGVs

June 29: Route 85 to go green with hybrid buses in attempt to reduce pollution in Putney High Street

June 7: Schoolchildren exposed to "dangerously high" levels of nitrogen dioxide in Putney

The route covering Putney High Street is scheduled to see their current fleet converted to hybrid buses with anti-pollutant systems which meet current European emissions standards by February 2017.

The route between Brixton and Streatham is expected to be converted by October 2017.

Mr Khan has emphasised his plans to combat low air quality in London as various reports show London failing to keep NO2 below the legal limits.

Mr Khan said: "It is a scandal that in a wonderful, modern world city like London, thousands of people are dying because the air they breathe is toxic.

"I am absolutely committed to speeding up our efforts and making sure I do everything possible to improve air quality in the capital.

"Too many of London’s busiest high streets are choked with fumes and this move will improve the health of those living and working in the most polluted areas.

"I am determined to reduce emissions and improve London for everyone, and this is the latest in a number of changes I am making to deliver on this."

Putney High Street exceeded the annual limit for NO2 emissions in just eight days in January this year.

At the end of last week it was announced that Putney High Street had seen levels of NO2 pollution drop by 80 per cent after banning HGVs.

Mr Khan announced his plans for Low Emissions Zones in his manifesto last May and said he hoped to focus on those areas outside of Central London with significant problems with air quality with the aim of reducing NO2 emissions from buses by 84 per cent.

Along with converting routes to hybrids, the zones will see numerous changes to road layouts, ensuring buses have priority over other traffic and cutting the length of time they would otherwise spend standing idle and speeding up journey times.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, deputy leader of Wandsworth Council, said: "Putney High Street has seen the biggest fall in pollution levels in London thanks to investment in the bus fleet and we’re pleased our new mayor will continue to treat this road as a priority."