Updated: Tue Feb. 20 2007 2:38:33 PM

toronto.ctv.ca

Looking for ways to ease traffic on the streets and clear the air above the city, Toronto city council is sending one of its members to London, England next week to learn more about that city's so-called congestion tax.

Brian Ashton, the head of council's planning and transportation committee will travel to England next week to see how London's system is working.

"London's taken some comprehensive approaches. They're often heralded as the one major city that's introduced congestion taxes," Ashton told the Toronto Star. Ashton added that he will meet with that city's deputy mayor to discuss the tax.

Motorists in London are charged about $20 a day to drive into the city's core. The tax is widely credited with reducing that city's congestion problem.

Ashton is being sent by the mayor, despite David Miller's lack of support for the idea.

As Ashton gets ready to jet across the Atlantic, a group of local environmentalists met with city officials on Tuesday a summit of sorts on the topic of global warming.

Toronto is preparing its climate change action plan. Several presenters made suggestions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the city's Parks and Environment Committee Tuesday morning.

The city's medical officer of health was one of the people making proposals to the committee. Dr. David McKeown said air quality is a major health concern.

"In Toronto we see 1,700 premature deaths every year and about 6,000 people go to hospital as a result of air pollution," McKeown said.

McKeown's proposals include:

• Expanding the city's network of bicycle lanes;
• Building more dedicated transit routes;
• Using parking fees to reduce emissions;
• Expansion of the city's urban forests; and
• Promotion of the Air Quality Health Index

"We need to move people to active forms of transportation. So, walking, cycling, public transit; all of those are better for our air, better for our climate and better for our health," McKeown said.

Several other plans are being considered by the committee before council launches its plan to cut emissions.

With a report from CTV's Chris Eby