A POLITICIAN has insisted she has challenged the Government for more effective action on air pollution, following the publication of alarming figures last week.

Data released on Wednesday last week, as part of the national list of shame campaign from Clean Air London, places Slough at the top of a South East air pollution death league table.

The figures, taken from Department of Health statistics from 2011, suggest people living in Slough are more likely to die from air pollution than residents in any other South East region.

Slough MP Fiona Mactaggart said she supported Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, in calls for the Government to clean up our air earlier this year, adding: “I have worked for measures to improve air in Slough. I have campaigned for electrification of our rail which will reduce emissions, for a western rail link to Heathrow which will cut traffic on the M4 and have supported the council in initiatives such as a local bicycle scheme and measures to reduce slow moving traffic through Chalvey.” Figures showed 6.84% of deaths in Slough are attributable to air pollution. South Buckinghamshire had the third highest figures in the South East with 6.42%, compared to the national average of 5.36%.

More than 5% of deaths of people aged over 30 in the South East were attributable to air pollution.