'Unhealthy' air quality recorded outside three schools as parents urged to ditch the car
manchestereveningnews.co.ukParents in Bury are being urged to ditch the car on the school runs after sensors have shown that children are being exposed to 'unhealthy air quality'.
Bury Council placed sensors outside Chesham, Chris Church Ainsworth and Lowercroft primaries last October. This was to help raise awareness of air pollution and provide data that can be used in class to help educate young people about the environment. READ MORE: Train operator urges people NOT to travel on Friday as Storm Eunice set to hit Now, the results are in, and the council is urging parents to drop-off and collect their kids without the help of their polluting vehicles.
The sensors have shown that pollutant concentrations are spiking throughout the day as traffic on the surrounding roads increases, especially around drop-off and pick-up times.
Councillor Kevin Peel, deputy cabinet member for the environment, said: “Thousands of people in the UK die every year due to poor air quality, and many more suffer ill health or develop lung conditions such as asthma because of air pollution. "Young people are particularly susceptible to being affected by poor air. “The results of air monitoring at these schools show that emissions tend to rise in the morning, drop off after the rush hour and then peak in the afternoon/early evening. “While the school run isn’t the only factor in pollution near schools, we need to raise awareness of the issues and persuade parents, where they can, to leave the car at home and encourage their children to walk, cycle or take public transport to school.” Like our new Facebook page - My Bury - to keep up with all the latest news, events and features.
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