As the local elections on May 3 move ever closer, candidates have been out canvassing on the streets of Greenwich.

It comes as a renewed campaign has called for the so-called “toxic port” in Enderby Wharf to be scrapped unless guarantees are made that cruise liners will plug in to on-shore power rather than using polluting diesel generators.

There are also big debates in Greenwich surrounding the extra pollution traffic a new IKEA will bring, and of course the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels.

So, this is what the parties have said in their manifestos or following requests for comment about the environment and pollution.

Labour 

In their manifesto Labour pledge to:

Maintain the “largest network of air quality monitoring stations in the capital and use the data to guide decision-making.”

Campaign to stop drivers from engine idling, especially outside schools, and to lobby Transport for London for greener buses and lorries.

Other priorities include protecting allotments from development, maintaining weekly bin collections, cracking down on fly tipping, introducing a river source heat pump and sustainable energy management system in a housing scheme, and introducing electric vehicles in the Council’s fleet. 

The council has previously said it will ensure that conditions and obligations are honoured at Enderdby Wharf.

Conservatives

In their manifesto the Greenwich Tories pledged to:

Continue to oppose the Enderby Wharf, and press for environmental mitigations if the Silvertown tunnel goes ahead.

Campaign against the overuse of Blackheath open spaces for events

Campaign to save and restore our precious local heritage assets and to protect parks and green spaces.

Pressure the council to support the London National Park City initiative.

Argue for free Bulky Waste Collections to reduce fly-tipping.

Abbey Wood Independents

The ABW Independents said they will fight for:

 For one free car parking permit or visitor vouchers for Abbey Wood’s ‘Controlled Parking Zone’

For a re-energized ‘Environmental Champion Scheme’

To protect Greening Street Green against any attempt by the council to sell it off for housing

The Women's Equality Party Greenwich

Pamela Ritchie, Women’s Equality Party candidate for Charlton, said air quality was a concern. She said: “The cruise ship terminal was a missed opportunity to protect the environment, after council leadership ignored the local residents campaigning for onshore power solutions.

“Air pollution in Charlton is at illegal levels; levels outside Windrush School were recorded at 175 per cent  of the legal rate.

“If elected, I will demand that the council uses its powers to tackle this problem which is so damaging to our whole community.”

Plumstead Party 

Stewart Christie, Glyndon candidate, said: “While everybody’s attention is on the Peninsula with concerns about Ikea, the cruise port and the Silvertown Tunnel it’s worth noting that the area by Plumstead Station is one of the worst for pollution in the borough with almost three times the legal limit of NO2 air pollution.

“If elected, we’d look at this as a matter of urgency and press the council to act on plans to change the layout of the Pettman Crescent Gyratory and, going further, commission a study into traffic and ways to reduce needless through traffic on Plumstead High Street.”

Greens

Greenwich Green Party coordinator Dan Garrun said: “If you want to improve air quality, you need to focus on the major causes, which are cars and construction.

“To get people out of their cars we need better public transport, more and safer cycle ways and walk ways and a decisive end to the Silvertown Tunnel which will only push more traffic through our already choked streets.

“Thanks to great work by No Toxic Cruise Port almost everyone, previously silent councillors included, now agree that a cruise terminal with massive ships running off diesel engines all day long a is a terrible idea. That planning permission needs to be revoked.”

Priorites have been listed as protecting all green spaces at risk such as Greenwich Ecology Park, testing air quality regularly, ensuring new developments improve the environment before approval and spending money from developments on improving air quality.

Monster Raving Looney 

Lord Halfperson – Blackheath Westcombe Ward, Greenwich, has pledged to oppose the Silvertown Tunnel project, and also supports the community-led No Toxic Port for London campaign. 

He said: "I will continue my opposition of the Silvertown Tunnel project which lead to increased pollution and congestion in Blackheath Westcombe ward and surrounding areas."

Dumo Polska (Polish Pride candidates)

Mariusz Prystupa, standing in Woolwich, said one of his goals is to increase parking spaces and reduce fees for permits, and improve the qaulity of waste services.

The Liberal Democrats and UKIP had not responded at the time of publishing.