Mother's Fears Realized as Son's Asthma Worsens Due to Traffic Measures

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the mother of a child who died from air pollution is now concerned that her son may face a similar fate. Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah's daughter Ella became the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death following her inquest in 2020, more than seven years after her passing.

Now, Rosamund's son Robert, who also suffers from asthma, has been in and out of the hospital. Rosamund says that the introduction of the Low Traffic Neighborhood (LTN) scheme in their area of Lewisham, southeast London, has led to a significant increase in car emissions on the nearby South Circular road, exacerbating Robert's condition. Despite the family's efforts to manage his asthma, the fear of history repeating itself has been ever-present.

However, there is a glimmer of hope as this week, Robert was finally discharged from the hospital's asthma services, a milestone the family has been "patiently, dreaming and praying" for. Rosamund's relief is palpable, but she knows that her son's battle with asthma is far from over, and the ongoing struggle for clean air in cities remains a pressing issue.