Thursday 26 January 2017

London schools to fight back against pollution

The Mayor of London has announced a scheme to clean up toxic air in schools most affected by pollution.

Sadiq Khan is providing £250,000 to fund air quality audits at 50 of the capital's schools in areas with illegal levels of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The audits will identify how students can be best protected from London’s toxic air, which breached legal limits for the whole year just five days into 2017.

They will be conducted by transport and environmental consultants experienced in dramatically reducing emissions and exposure to pollution.

Possible solutions include moving school entrances and play areas to reduce exposure to busy roads, banning engine idling in drop-off and pick-up areas to cut school run emissions, pedestrianising the local area and improving road layouts.

The consultants will also look at how to reduce emissions from within the schools, such as from boilers, kitchens and other sources.

Mr Khan said: "Every child deserves the right to breathe clean air in London and it is a shameful fact that more than 360 of our primary schools are in areas breaching legal pollution limits.

"My new air quality audits are a strong step towards helping some of the most polluted schools in London identify effective solutions to protect pupils from toxic fumes."

Sadiq Khan has proposed to introduce the planned ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) in 2019, a year ahead of schedule.