IN a heartfelt message to borough residents today, a Thurrock environmental campaigner has told of his personal connection with the nine-year-old London girl whose death has prompted a landmark change in the battle against air pollution.

And Matt Hill says the issue is one that is massively relevant in Thurrock.

Yesterday (Wednesday, 16 December), Southwark Coroner's Court in London found that air pollution "made a material contribution" to the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.

She had lived near the South Circular Road in Lewisham and died in 2013, following an asthma attack. Ella had a rare type of acute asthma; she was particularly susceptible to the toxic gases and particles in air pollution. In his verdict, the coroner Philip Barlow said the cause was "multi-factorial. It was down to both genes, and the environment".

From a legal perspective, David Wolfe QC, a barrister specialising in public law, said: "Although this decision does not have any binding impact on other courts, it is still important as the first formal legal recognition of air pollution as contributing to the death of a particular individual."

The verdict and legal repercussions resonate with local cycling campaigner Mr Hill who has met Ella's mum.

He says: "34% of all emissions are that of transport pollution. This is not only pertinent to the tragic death of poor Ella but also the many residents of Thurrock who suffer from asthma and breathing related illnesses.

"We need real solutions to address our pollution problems; a proper active travel plan, investment in public transport as well of course a well connected, quality safe and Dutch-style cycling infrastructure.

"Yet Thurrock seems to be intent on exacerbating the situation, which only locks people into car dependency. Thurrock is undergoing disastrous road building schemes - the A13 widening scheme and the more controversial Lower Thames Crossing.

"These road building projects are 'sold' to the public that they will reduce congestion, whereas historical data shows they will just increase the volume of traffic in our neighbourhood.

"The more roads we have the more cars will use them, so any improvement regarding the relief of heavy traffic or congestion is short-lived.

"The M25 a very notable case in point and the 'new' A13, both roads blighted with congestion. Electric vehicles, very much have their place yet still emit particulate matter in the form of tyre wear, brake dust and resuspended road wear, not to mention the in-built carbon required in their manufacture.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Ella's mum Rosamund Kissi-Debrah at a protest I was involved in organising in central London. To meet the mother of a child who had died in such tragic, yet preventable circumstances really hit home, as a parent myself.

"I'm sure she'll be relieved and pleased with the verdict but I doubt there'll be any celebration.

"I hope that this tragedy, at least, highlights our pollution problems at the core of every council.

"Thurrock Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. Transport is the largest CO2 emitting sector locally. Let's hope they use the Covid recovery as an opportunity to decarbonise this sector as radically as required to secure a safe future for ourselves and our children."