Britain faces air quality fine ahead of Olympics

Britain could find itself fined up to £175 million by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) because of London's poor air quality.

Organisers of the 2012 Games had pledged to make the occasion the most environmentally-friendly ever, but current levels of pollution in the capital are unacceptable.

If air monitoring tests closer to the event show little improvement, the IOC is entitled to withhold 25 per cent of the £700 million budget set aside for broadcasting rights.

London is one of Europe's most polluted cities and some parts are already on the brink of exceeding the 35-day per year concession for excessive particulate matter levels set by the European Union.

There are fears that instead of getting better, the air quality in London could worsen during the build up to the Games, as the number of cars on the road is expected to increase dramatically due to the extra visitors.

Chief executive of the London 2012 Olympics Paul Deighton has been happy with the high levels of demand for tickets and sports fans have until midnight tonight (Tuesday April 25th 2011) to apply for seats.

Posted by Joseph Hutton