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Schools, pupils and parents will benefit from the implementation of two more School Streets, which help to not only promote sustainable, healthy travel, but also help to address traffic problems and most importantly the air pollution issues at the school gate. The innovative scheme, restricts traffic on roads leading to schools at the start and end of the school day. Since Monday 6 June, phase 3 of the School Streets scheme has extended to selected roads around Cranmore Infants, Northland Road and Windy Arbor, Woodlands Way where a new permanent 20mph speed limit for all traffic has been introduced. Leaving the car at home where possible and opting to walk, bike or scoot short distance journeys such as when doing the school run, is just one of the simple steps we can take to protect our health, our family’s health, and children’s health from air pollution. Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways: “I am really pleased to roll out our successful scheme to a further two schools. These measures will make it safer and more pleasant for everyone around the sites. “The Council is committed to this scheme and now looks to phase 4 after successfully securing £30, 000 from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.” Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing: “Air pollution is real, and is the biggest environmental threat to our health and our children’s health. It can harm every organ in our bodies and can shorten our lives, contribute towards chronic illness and put us more at risk from COVID-19. “Therefore, it’s great to see the increased use of the School Streets in the borough which encourages healthier and more sustainable behaviours. This is just one Council initiative that will over time contribute to better air quality. Others include the installation of electric charging points, improving opportunities for cycling and walking and the work being done by its sustainable travel team to encourage drivers to stop idling. “I look forward to joining in the wider conversation on air pollution on Clean Air Day, Thursday 16 June.”
For more information about School Streets please visit: www.solihull.gov.uk/schoolstreets To learn more about how you can have a positive impact on air quality and the practical changes you can make, follow the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution, Clean Air Day on Thursday 16 June. The day will see schools, healthcare, workplaces and communities across the UK running activities and taking action to inspire others to reduce the amount they pollute. People can get involved with the conversation online by following the @cleanairdayuk Twitter account and using the hashtag #CleanAirDay. For more information, visit: https://www.actionforcleanair.org.uk/
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Two more schools have ‘car-free streets’ to help improve air quality
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