Car-free days and mini-parks will be introduced in Greenwich, one of London’s eight most polluted boroughs, under plans by Mayor Sadiq Khan to tackle air pollution in the capital.

The announcement of £11m funding for the low emission neighbourhood scheme comes a week after campaigners gathered at London’s High Court to hear the judicial ruling over the controversial Enderby Wharf cruise liner terminal.

As well as Enderby, campaigners for cleaner air have previously raised concerns over the Silvertown Tunnel development, which will see vehicles crossing under the Thames at north Greenwich, and plans for an Ikea on the peninsula.

Coming into effect from 2019, the low emissions zone will target Greenwich town centre and Trafalgar Road.

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The view from Greenwich Park.

The Mayor’s proposals for Greenwich include a series of car-free days in the town centre, an incentive scheme to encourage walking and cycling and an extensive series of mini parks throughout the area.

He has increased funding for low emission neighbourhoods from £2m under the previous mayor to a total investment of £11m and expanded the initiative from two boroughs to eight.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Make no mistake: London is in the midst of an air quality crisis.

"Air pollution is permanently affecting children’s lung development and nearly 10,000 Londoners are dying early every year due to the long-term exposure of London’s dirty air.

“We need urgent and bold action and this includes targeted local initiatives to tackle some of the worst pollution hotspots in London.

“The previous Mayor committed to funding two local projects, but I don’t think this goes far enough."

He added: “So I’m delighted to announce that we will now be funding five key areas across London – helping to tackle air pollution and transforming neighbourhoods.”