Wednesday 13 September 2017
Islington school first of 50 for air quality audits
The first of 50 air quality audits for primary schools in the worst polluted areas in London has been announced.
Prior Weston Primary School in Islington will be the first to be audited by global engineering consultancy WSP as part of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s £250,000 project.
The school is located close to a busy road, Beech Street, which has pollution levels that are twice the legal limit and is used by many pupils to walk to and from school.
It is also within the T-charge zone which means from 23rd October, vehicles in the area must meet minimum emission standards or pay a daily £10 emissions surcharge in addition to the congestion charge.
The audit will identify measures to protect children from the capital’s toxic air and examine new ways to dramatically lower emissions and exposure to pollution in and around the schools.
Audit recommendations could include moving school entrances and play areas to reduce exposure to busy roads, no engine idling schemes to cut emissions during the school run and restricting most polluting vehicles.
Mr Khan said: “These air quality audits are a big step towards helping some of the most polluted schools in London identify effective solutions to protect pupils from toxic fumes but of course, this is only part of the solution.
“Next month, I will be launching my T-charge to rid central London of the oldest, most polluting vehicles and before the end of the year, I will be announcing a decision on my plans to bring forward and extend the Ultra-Low Emission Zone along some of our busiest roads.”
The audits will be completed by the end of the year.
