A petition calling for cleaner buses on a busy street in Kensal Rise is on its way to the Mayor of London after it was handed over to a Brent politician.

Resident Association (KTRA) and Aylestone Park Residents and Tenants, drew up the 1,400-signature petition which urges Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL) to roll-out environmentally-friendly vehicles in Chamberlayne Road by March next year.

The campaigners are calling for action after figures show the area has illegally high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which is claimed to pose a health threat.

The petition has been given to Navin Shah, Labour assembly member for Brent and Harrow, who will hand it to Mr Johnson at a preliminary meeting at City Hall on December 2.

Mr Shah: “This part of Brent has got very serious levels of pollution and by introducing clean buses we can create a clean corridor along the whole route.

“This is a very important initiative and I will do my best to lobby the mayor to do something about it and introduce clean buses to help local residents to have a more acceptable environment.

“We are not happy to accept the current situation. Something needs doing now rather than waiting for months and years.”

According to a map on Brent Council’s website, the levels of NO2 on Chamberlayne Road, which serves seven bus routes, last year was 67.7ug/m3 which is above the legal limit of 40ug/m3.

In the last five years levels on the busy thoroughfare have varied from 62.5ug/m3 to 78.3ug/m3.

Rik Smith, vice chair of KTRA, said: “We had 1,400 signatures that demonstrate that the voice is very strong for clean buses.

“People are clearly concerned and more aware of the environment they are living in.

“It’s imperative that both Boris Johnson and TfL give this matter urgent attention. Pollution doesn’t wait for promises.”

Mike Weston, TfL’s director of buses, had previously told the Times they were aware of residents’ concerns and are working to improve the bus fleet in the area.