London,
21
June
2018
|
10:34
Europe/London

Torriano School Youth Travel Ambassadors spread the clean air message

On Clean Air Day, children from Torriano School in Kentish Town are highlighting the important issue of air pollution.

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment
“Cleaning up London’s air is one of the major challenges facing us. But there are simple steps we can take to improve air quality at the school gates and look after our own and our children’s health.”
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment

To mark the day, Torriano’s Youth Travel Ambassadors campaigned among parents and highlighted the school’s anti-idling campaign, covering issues such as illegal double-parking and engine idling. They took the opportunity to share their views with Councillor Harrison on the right to be healthy. 

Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment
The Torriano Youth Travel Ambassadors told me that one day they counted no fewer than 22 cars waiting and spewing out fumes right outside Torriano’s grounds. They also showed me how they learned to identify the signs of pollution on our trees. The kids are now asking the adults to walk rather than drive.

“The council has launched an air quality campaign, and has also launched our new Camden Clean Air Partnership. The partnership is made up of residents and organisations from right across Camden. They will look at their part of the borough and their own activity here to work out where they can be making deeper inroads into air pollution.”
Councillor Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for Improving Camden's Environment

Poor air quality has a significant impact on public health and accounts for around 9,400 premature deaths in London each year, affecting the health of many more with asthma, hay fever and other conditions. Vehicles are the biggest cause of air pollution in Camden.

The council will be asking for resident views over the next few months to help shape the new Camden Clean Air Action. More information about what people can do to improve air quality can be found online at www.camden.gov.uk/airquality

Air quality is a clear priority that has come out through our engagement to develop Camden 2025, our shared vision for Camden.

The Clean Air Partnership is made up of residents and major organisations from across the borough, and the new Clean Air Action Plan, which will be published in early 2019, will target stretching World Health Organisation guidelines for air quality by 2030.