Lambeth and Sustrans partner for schools air quality project

Walking and cycling charity Sustrans will be working with Lambeth council on a major air quality education project with a number of the borough’s schools.

Sustrans will be working with 12 schools in Lambeth which have been identified by the GLA as being in areas that breach the legal limit for Nitrogen Dioxide.

Lambeth council and Sustrans have partnered on the project

The charity has developed a package of lessons and activities for teachers to integrate into the curriculum to enable children to learn about the causes of air pollution.

Sustrans’ air quality project officer, Joe Lindsay, will work with 8-11 year-olds from 12 schools to monitor air quality over the next year, using diffusion tubes and a particulate matter real-time pollution monitor.

This will enable the children to identify the problem areas where action is needed to improve the air they breathe, the organisations have said.

Campaign

As part of the work they will also develop clean air walking route maps, campaign with letters and posters, and plant flowers and shrubs in their playgrounds, creating green places to enjoy.

The children will also be offered the chance to commit to walking, cycling or scooting to school and demonstrating how increased levels of active travel, as opposed to car travel, can improve air quality.

Commenting on the project, Cllr Claire Holland, Lambeth’s cabinet member for environment and clean air, said: “Poor air quality has a huge impact on the health of children in our borough, that’s why we are determined to reduce pollution and protect our young people from dirty air.

“This project with Sustrans will help us do just that, making children aware of the problem and helping them design their own solutions and campaigns.

“We have already installed two green screens and have four more confirmed at some of our most exposed primary schools, we are working with businesses and developers as well as schools to reduce emissions and engaging more and more residents in our fight against air pollution. This is something we are committed to tackling.”

Programme

The 12 schools are: Oasis Johanna Primary School, St Mark’s Church of England Primary School, Wyvil Primary School, Sudbourne Primary School, St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School, Kings Avenue School, Hillmead Primary School, Allen Edwards Primary School, Lark Hall Primary School, St Saviours Church of England School, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School and Elmgreen Primary school.

Matt Winfield, director of Sustrans London, said: “We all need to tackle air pollution, particularly in London where we have some of the country’s most polluted roads. Our work with schools is vital as we all have a responsibility to teach the next generations about the importance of clean air to our health and environment and also educate them about what we can do to improve air quality such as walk, cycle or scoot.

“It’s great to see that Lambeth is taking such positive action to clean up the air in the borough as part of its Air Quality Action Plan. Many children in Lambeth already walk, cycle or scoot. The pollution is often from the schools’ proximity to busy roads, so as part of this project, we’re supporting the school in making recommendations about infrastructure which could reduce the volume of traffic near the schools.

“It would be great to see more London schools get involved in our Air-mazing project and actively promote the benefits of sustainable travel, helping parents and pupils make the switch to cycling, scooting and walking.”