Children get involved in promoting Council’s drive to clean up air around schools

As part of Wandsworth Council’s air quality improvement programme schoolchildren in Battersea and Nine Elms have been getting active making drivers aware of the harm their emissions can cause. 

Pupils from St Mary’s RC Primary School in Battersea took to the streets around their school asking drivers to turn their engines off while waiting. They handed out leaflets and talked to motorists about how their actions could help air quality.

St Mary’s new anti-idling awareness exercise aims to reduce vehicle exhaust pollution and improve the quality of air for children living locally and attending that school.

Jamie Colclough, Wandsworth Council’s air quality champion said: ‘Helping our children and families to live healthier lives and breathe more easily are key priorities for this council.

‘Encouraging local schoolchildren to get involved in these activities is a great way to get the message out to drivers and other residents that we’re serious about reducing emissions around schools in our borough.’

The school’s ant-idling campaign has also seen a ‘superzone’ being created around the school aimed at  creating a healthier place for children. Funded by the GLA, the school receives grant funding for initiatives including a real-time air pollution monitor, guidance on low air pollution routes to school for children, a community safety audit around the school and new after-school physical activity programmes. 

Elsewhere in the borough new bikes were being delivered to St George’s CE Primary School and Griffin Primary in Nine Elms which have been provided by the council using funding from the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund (Business Low Emissions Neighbourhood) which involves local businesses and residents in improving air quality.

Bikes for St Mary’s school have also been delivered by Wandsworth Council using funding collected from Nine Elms developers.

Pupils have been taking cycling classes and are being encouraged to ride to school and take part in cycle clubs. New bike and scooter storage shelters have also been installed in playgrounds.

Children in Wokingham were recently asked to design posters to warn of the dangers of idling engines.