Extinction Rebellion London Wandsworth: Climate change activists close section of A3 to highlight effects of stop-start idling on Clean Air Day 2019

Three lanes on the A3 West Hill in Wandsworth are being closed off by Extinction Rebellion protestors this morning, to highlight the contribution stop-start idling makes to air pollution.

The roads blocked make up a small section of the A3 which experience heavy traffic during rush hour. Cars brake up to 40 times, and idle for 10 minutes, just to get down one mile of road, which is a violation of EU pollution limits, protestors say.

They argue this can be resolved through the introduction of 'gating' – a traffic management system which requires drivers to stop, turn off their engines for a few minutes, then move forward in groups once the road ahead is clear.

Activists will trial this method during today's protest.

David Smith, local resident and air pollution campaigner at Little Ninja, explains: “Air pollution is particularly high on major arterial roads that become narrow residential streets, like the three lanes of A3 traffic bottlenecking into a single lane to go down West Hill.”

He continues, “Every acceleration of a stationary vehicle can cause ten times the emissions of continuous driving. Every time vehicles brake, particulate matter is released from brake, tyre and road surface wear. An idling vehicle produces almost twice the emissions of a moving vehicle.

“Drivers and passengers in particular suffer from this issue as air pollution can be nine to twelve times higher inside the vehicle.”

This is Extinction Rebellion Wandsworth's first protest, and they have coordinated with local schools and emergency services ahead of today's action.