Schools and workplaces take part in Clean Air Day

Clean Air Day, on Thursday 19 June, is the UK's biggest initiative to reduce air pollution, raising awareness about air quality and encouraging action for a healthier environment.

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Selected roads were closed to traffic so that sports, games and fun activities could be held out on the streets in front of several schools in Leicester.  

Among the schools taking part in Leicester are Castle Mead Academy, which hosted sporting activities on the street and waterside activities in conjunction with the Canal & River Trust and Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre, including a ‘park and paddle’ where pupils were able to arrive at school by bell boat.

Dovelands Primary School had sports on the streets, cycling activities and the Hop! a fully electric green bus, with its signature ‘ribbit’ effect bell, paid a visit. The Children’s Bookbus was at Kestrel Mead Infants School, and there was sport on the street outside Rushey Mead Primary School, as well as a visit from Strider, the Living Streets walking mascot.

Some of the city’s largest workplaces are got involved in Clean Air Day. The University of Leicester organised a walk in Victoria Park. The walk was suitable for all abilities and was open to staff, students and the public. Researchers from the Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, who work on air quality and pollutants, took part in the walk and were available to discuss their research, how air pollution impacts health and ways we can all support reductions in air pollution.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust had information stands in hospital restaurants in the run-up to Clean Air Day, offering advice and information to staff and the public on how they can help reduce air pollution, with information on travel, food and nutrition, energy use and some simple flash card quizzes.

The events were being supported by Leicester City Council, national walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans and Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, as well as by the Canal & River Trust and Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Assistant city mayor responsible for air quality, Cllr Geoff Whittle, said: “Clean Air Day is a chance for schools to take part in some fun activities on traffic-free streets, while delivering an important message about improving air quality.

“It’s also a great chance for local workplaces to get involved by promoting the benefits of active travel.

“It is very encouraging to see so many people across the city marking Clean Air Day in this way.”

The city council’s air quality action plan includes commitments to carry out education and awareness campaigns in communities and schools to improve knowledge and understanding of the main sources of pollution and their impact, as well as working with schools to encourage active travel.

More information on air quality in Leicester is available at leicester.gov.uk/airquality