Mums with children suffering from asthma say politics is ‘playing games with lives’
Mothers with children suffering from asthma have said politicians are “playing games” with their children’s lives by “ignoring” the health impacts of pollution.
Analysis of the most recent NHS data by charity Asthma and Lung UK found that Lewisham had the second highest number of children with asthma being admitted to hospital between August and September 2021, compared to the rest of London.
Additionally, some mothers have said they are “concerned” that the introduction of the Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) by Lewisham council in 2020 has diverted traffic into their roads and caused their children to develop asthma.
Annie Kirby, 52, of Baring Road, near the South Circular in Lewisham, said her daughter was diagnosed with asthma in 2022.
She said: “She was diagnosed when she was 13 and the nurse said that the number of children with asthma in the area had shot up in the past 18 months. Our pharmacist said exactly the same thing.”
In a council meeting in January, Lewisham council confirmed that asthma rates had increased across the borough between 2020 and 2022.
Ms Kirby said: “When my daughter walks to school along Burnt Ash Road – where traffic has been diverted – her throat burns.
“We were going to get her a medical mask just so she could walk to school without her throat hurting.”
Ms Kirby has written to the council a number of times explaining her concern about pollution affecting her daughter.
She said: “I don’t know if there is a word for how I feel. I’m sad and upset for my daughter.
“I feel like the council’s decisions have directly impacted my daughter’s health.”
Last month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a major u-turn on the Government’s climate commitments, which would mean pushing back the deadline for selling new petrol and diesel cars and limiting the powers of councils to curb car use.
Ms Kirby said: “I’m terrified. They’re playing a game with children’s lives.”
Jane Alaszewski, 50, of Lee High Road in Manor Park, has a 12-year-old son, Khas Alaszewski-khargana, who was diagnosed with asthma three years ago.
She said: “The Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) directs traffic straight past my road, and since it came in his asthma is much worse.
“His asthma nurse told me the thought of children who live in the main road sleeping with their windows open keeps her awake at night.
“She said the practice is managing the impacts of the LTN by medicating children.”
Jay Morton, 37, lives just off New Cross Road in Lewisham. Her son, Wren Morton-Storting, who is just four, was diagnosed with asthma two years ago.
Every winter Ms Morton said her son was “constantly” coughing and wheezing and has sleep apnea.
She said: “It’s not right – he tries to run around in the park but he can’t.”
Ms Morton said she was “worried” that living in Lewisham could give her son “long-term health issues”.
She said: “I think LTNs are a good thing – we need more space for children, not all children have gardens.
“But I understand why you would be angry if the traffic and pollution is diverted to your road.
“LTNs can’t be the only solution. We’re not thinking about the children enough.”
Lewisham’s environment councillor Louise Krupski said: “We have taken bold action in Lewisham to improve air quality.
“Our approach to the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN has always been led by the data and evidence available to us.
“Air quality monitoring in the roads in and around the LTN has shown improvements in air quality compared to pre-pandemic levels, including on the South Circular Road.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been contacted for comment.
Pictured top: Annie Kirby with her daughter (Picture: Annie Kirby)