When Was the Last Pea Souper in London?

By Michael Ferguson

The infamous Pea Soupers of London are a thing of the past, but their legacy lives on. These thick fogs, which were made worse by industrial pollution and coal fires, caused chaos and even death for many years. But when exactly was the last Pea Souper in London?

The History of Pea Soupers

Pea Soupers were a common occurrence in London from the 19th century until the mid-20th century. The name “Pea Souper” comes from the yellow-green color of the fog, caused by a combination of smoke, fog, and soot.

These fogs were so thick that visibility was severely reduced, sometimes to just a few feet. This made it almost impossible to navigate the streets safely, causing accidents and even leading to fatalities.

The Great Smog of 1952

The most infamous Pea Souper was the Great Smog of 1952. This event lasted for five days and is estimated to have caused around 12,000 deaths in London due to respiratory problems.

After this event, there was growing public pressure to address air pollution in London. The government passed the Clean Air Act in 1956 which aimed to reduce air pollution by regulating coal burning and other sources of pollution.

The Last Pea Souper

Since then, there have been no more Pea Soupers in London like those experienced in previous centuries. However, there have been some instances where fog has led to reduced visibility in the capital.

One such event occurred on October 27th, 2014 when a dense fog enveloped London causing travel chaos. However, this was not a true Pea Souper as it was not caused by industrial pollution or coal fires.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there have been instances where fog has reduced visibility in London since the Clean Air Act of 1956, there has not been a true Pea Souper in the city for many years. The legacy of these fogs remains, however, and they continue to be remembered as a significant part of London’s history.