Mayor backs contaminated land law in child's name

The mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has pledged his support for a proposed new law to ensure greater transparency over contaminated land.

Zane's Law is named after seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, whose parents say was killed by gas from landfill when the River Thames flooded their home in Chertsey, Surrey, in 2014.

Proposed measures include requiring councils to keep public registers of contaminated sites.

A spokesperson for the Truth About Zane campaign said: "The mayor's support signals growing momentum for legislative change, and increasing recognition of Zane's family's decade-long campaign."

A statement from the Mayor of London's office said: "The Mayor supports the London Assembly's motion in favour of Zane's Law.

"He shares the Assembly's concerns over impacts on Londoners, and the potential for land which may be contaminated not to be identified as such, particularly given the responsibility sits between the local authorities and the Environment Agency.

"He is also concerned that there are inadequate resources available for regulatory authorities to properly address the issue."

Zane's Law would ensure that all potentially contaminated land is identified, made public, regularly inspected and properly cleaned up.

It would mean local authorities would be given the funding, resources and powers to act.

Kye Gbangbola, Zane's father, was paralysed in the same incident that killed his son.

He met the mayor at the London Assembly on Friday to discuss the proposed new Law.

Sir Sadiq told Mr Gbangbola how "sorry" he was for the "tragic loss" of his son's life.

Implementing Zane's Law was adopted as Green Party policy in September.

A motion supporting the proposed law was unanimously accepted by the London Assembly in November.

Zack Polanski, Green London Assembly member, who has championed the cause within City Hall, said: "The mayor has made an important step in backing Zane's Law, but there's still so much more that can be done.

"He should use his influence to urge the government to bring in this law and ensure its full support and implementation."

An inquest into Zane's death concluded he was killed by carbon monoxide from a petrol pump used to clear floodwater from his home in Thameside, but Mr Gbangbola and Ms Lawler say the pump was not used.

They have accessed public health documents that stated firefighters found hydrogen cyanide in their home, but no carbon monoxide.

Lewes District Council was the first to support the law in February 2024, followed by several others including Brighton & Hove City Council and Adur District Council.

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