Pall Mall Tops UK Pollution Table

This comes as grim news for cyclists, who may be regularly breathing in the polluted air and harmful toxins as they cycle to and from work in a bid to stay fit and keep Britain green.

On average, air pollution levels are up to four times the European legal limit, according to statistics released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Diesel engine cars are reportedly thought to be the greatest source of the toxic fumes which has led to older diesel engines being outlawed in the German capital, Berlin.

Director of Clean Air, Simon Birkett has called for the same action to be taken in the UK.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: “The thought that hundreds of thousands or millions of tourists and Londoners in a year may be exposed to air pollution this high is deeply troubling.

"These levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are nothing short of staggering." Grosvenor Place, which runs alongside the Queen’s London residence, had the highest level of the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide in 2012.

Researchers found 152 milligrams of the gas per cubic metre of air, with a main contributor being diesel engine fumes. The EU legal limit is 40.

The UK now faces fines of up to £300m from the European commission for failing to reduce high levels of NO2 air pollution from traffic.

In response to the findings, a spokesman for Boris Johnson, said: “Since the Mayor was elected, NO2 emissions have reduced by 20 per cent and the number of people living in areas exceeding NO2 limits has halved but he fully recognises the need to take further action.

"This includes the introduction of the world’s first Ultra-Low Emission Zone in central London from 2020, tougher requirements for taxis from 2018 and a £20million fund to tackle local problem areas."

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