School children team up for clean air action

Clean Air Day encourages people to think about what they can do to help improve air quality

Dozens of school children in Bradford have taken part in a national campaign to help make the air cleaner where they live.

As part of Clean Air Day on Thursday, about 60 pupils joined a council-run event to learn more about air pollution and what can be done to improve their environment.

In 2022, Bradford launched its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the city subsequently recorded its lowest level of air pollution since records began.

More than £444,000 of funding from charges raised by the CAZ has gone to help schools to try and reduce pollution in their areas.

Clean Air Day is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of clean air for people's health and the environment, organisers said.

It aimed to inspire individuals, communities and organisations to take action towards reducing air pollution.

'Affecting health'

Bradford Council said some of the schools that joined its event had received funding to improve air quality directly outside their schools.

The authority said those included projects such as cycle-to-school schemes, bike and scooter storage, improved cycle paths, plant screens and seating away from high pollution areas.

Sally Jones, environment manager for Bradford Council, said: "We know air pollution in Bradford is directly affecting the health of everyone who lives and works here, especially the most deprived and the young and old.

"The Clean Air Zone is reducing the impact of pollution across the district.

"We are looking forward to working together with schools in our clean air schools programme, which will improve road safety and air quality around schools to benefit children, parents and staff at the beginning and end of the school day."

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