Stop Formula One Racing Being Held in Newham!

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham

Newspapers have recently announced that "Britain looks set to host two Formula 1 races per year after plans for the capital to host a Grand Prix were revealed. London's East End is said to host the proposed new F1 venue, with plans in place to develop a new sports and entertainment complex at the Royal Docks."


We, the signatories to this petition, call on Mayor Khan and Mayor Fiaz to block this from happening, for the following reasons:

Newham has some of the worst levels of pollution of all councils in England with 96 deaths each year
due to toxic air & 7% of all deaths in Newham[1,2,3,4] and also some of the highest rates of poverty
at 37%, which severe inequality between different parts of the borough and within the
existing Royal Docks ward itself[5,6].

Bringing the Formula One Grand Prix using standard fossil fuelled racing cars to the Royal Docks would bring additional pollution on top of that already suffered by
residents in the area from main roads and London City Airport, from the racing cars, support
vehicles, event vehicles and visiting attendees.

It is also unclear from reports whether this would be a closed track or a street based race such as at Monaco. The closure of the only road through the south of the Royal Docks would bring considerable
disruption and impact those on low incomes who need to work at the weekend (when the event it
expected to be held), it is unclear how access would be maintained when the only road is turned to a
race track. Residents on the south side of the road will be cut off, buses won't be able to run. It's also
unclear how pedestrian access will be maintained when races are taking place. Residents would also have to put up with the noise from the racing cars themselves and support vehicles, as well as spectators.

We believe that these negatives far outweigh any positives brought to the area by financial
income, investment or entertainment. Therefore we oppose the event taking place in Newham, especially if this is to be on public roads, and call on London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz to block these events as planned.

We ask that Mayor Khan and Mayor Fiaz call for greener, lower emission, lower carbon alternatives, such as expanding the Formula E 'London E-Prix' electric racing events currently using Excel and to further enhance these Formula E races by also using London City Airport taxiway and runway at the weekend for these Formula E races when the airport is closed.

This petition is being raised by Newham Green Party, to protect the health and wellbeing of all residents of Newham and the surrounding areas.


[1]
Air quality
[2]
Toxic air
[3]
Air pollution by schools
[4]

https://www.newham.gov.uk/public-health-safety/air-quality-newham#:~:text=Poor%20air%20quality%20in%20the%20borough%20kills%2096%20residents%20every%20year

[5]

[6]

https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/london-boroughs-highest-poverty-rates-18179532.amp


Petition by
Robert Callender
Robert Callender
London, United Kingdom
Sponsored by
Ngp_icon_white_full_words_fair_green
Newham Green Party

To: Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham
From: [Your Name]

We, the signatories to this petition, call on Mayor Khan and Mayor Fiaz to block the Formula One Grand Prix from being held in Newham, for the following reasons:

Newham has some of the worst levels of pollution of all councils in England with 96 deaths each year
due to toxic air or 7% of all deaths in Newham and also some of the highest rates of poverty
at 37%, which severe inequality between different parts of the borough and within the
existing Royal Docks ward itself.

Bringing the Formula One Grand Prix to the Royal Docks would bring additional pollution on top of that already suffered by
residents in the area from main roads and London City Airport, from the racing cars, support
vehicles, event vehicles and visiting attendees.

It is also unclear from reports whether this would be a closed track or a street based race such as at Monaco. The closure of the only road through the south of the Royal Docks would bring considerable
disruption and impact those on low incomes who need to work at the weekend (when the event it
expected to be held), it is unclear how access would be maintained when the only road is turned to a
race track. Residents on the south side of the road will be cut off, buses won't be able to run. It's also
unclear how pedestrian access will be maintained when races are taking place. Residents would also have to put up with the noise from the racing cars themselves and support vehicles, as well as spectators.

We believe that these negatives far outweigh any positives brought to the area by financial
income, investment or entertainment. Therefore we oppose the event taking place in Newham, especially if this is to be on public roads, and call on London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz to block these events as planned.

We ask that Mayor Khan and Mayor Fiaz call for greener, lower emission, lower carbon alternatives, such as expanding the Formula E 'London E-Prix' electric racing events currently using Excel and to further enhance these Formula E races by also using London City Airport taxiway and runway at the weekend for these Formula E races when the airport is closed.