Urgent toxic air warning issued as air quality map turns red and purple over London

Urgent toxic air warning issued as air quality map turns red and purple over London Many London boroughs including the City of Westminster, Wandsworth and Tower Hamlets are covered by the highest levels of air pollution Areas in London have reached the highest air pollution levels following a weekend of dense fog and fireworks. Londoners have been asked to "look after themselves" as maximum levels of particle pollution are affecting multiple boroughs. This comes as the Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for fog which will be in place until 10am tomorrow, covering parts of England and Wales. In a warning issued today, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's office has confirmed a "high" air pollution alert has been issued for the capital tomorrow. The warning reads: "Forecasters at Imperial College London advised the Mayor to issue the alert and Sadiq is encouraging everyone in the capital - particularly those who are most vulnerable - to look after themselves and for everyone to do their bit. "High levels of particle pollution are forecast for Tuesday after dense fog and very light winds allowed pollution to build up over the weekend and linger into Monday morning. Smoke from Bonfire Night and Diwali fireworks and from wood burning is likely to have contributed." In response to the alert, people have been asked to walk, cycle and use public transport more often and drive less when possible. Residents should also refrain from burning garden waste and compost it or take it to a refuse centre. This marks the fourth high air pollution alert this year, with the last one made in June during a heatwave. The deputy mayor for environment and energy, Mete Coban, said: "Toxic air is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in London each year, which is why the Mayor has done everything in his power to tackle it, which includes launching the world’s largest clean air zone. "It is really important we all do our bit to protect those who are most vulnerable as we continue working to build a safer and greener London for all." Air pollution maps provided by the Apple Weather app show areas in a number of London boroughs are covered by the highest levels of pollution - rated 10. These include the City of Westminster, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Merton, Ealing, Brent, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Bexley. The areas rated 10 are covered by purple, with most of the other boroughs being rated 8 or 6, including Croydon, Richmond upon Thames and Kensington and Chelsea. North London seems to be the only area with somewhat clear air, with boroughs like Haringey and Enfield mainly being rated 2 or 4. The Government's website reads: "While much of the UK should retain Low levels of air pollution, areas of High pollution are possible near built-up areas, especially in parts of central and southern Britain. This is the result of ongoing light wind conditions and the prevalence of fog, which will both inhibit dispersion." Air pollution levels across the UK remain low, with only some cities, including Southend-on-Sea, Cambridge, Nottingham and Manchester experiencing levels of up to 8. The yellow warning of fog issued by the Met Office covers 42 areas in East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales. The warning reads: "Fog will redevelop across the area this evening, becoming dense at times overnight, with visibility reduced to less than 100 m. This will likely lead to some delays to transport and difficult travelling conditions. Fog will thin and clear during Tuesday morning." The Met Office said slower journey times with delays to public transport are possible, with a chance of delays or cancellation of flights. Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Persistent high pressure has brought light winds and clear skies, allowing fog to form, while weak November sunshine has meant it is fairly slow to clear. "We’re expecting one more night of dense fog, with a warning in place for some areas. Increasing cloud and wind should then limit further widespread fog from developing." Freezing fog is possible further north on Tuesday, according to the Met Office, and temperatures are expected to fall low enough overnight for frost across parts of Scotland and northern England. The forecaster has said persistent rain is possible towards the south-west, with some also affecting the south coast and western and southern Wales during the morning. In the afternoon, cloud and rain will push north into central and southern England, Wales and the Midlands.