Bradford: Clean Air Zone charges to fund school pollution schemes

Forty-eight schools in Bradford will receive grants from money raised by Clean Air Zone charges

More than £444,000 of funding from Bradford's Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges is to go to schools trying to reduce air pollution in their area.

Bradford Council said 48 schools would receive grants for projects to improve air quality.

They include classroom air filtration systems and green screens using planting to protect play areas.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby said the city's CAZ was "already improving health and reducing air pollution".

In Bradford, the CAZ scheme raised almost £4.5m in charges and fines in its first six months.

Money raised can only be spent on projects to reduce emissions, the council said.

Ms Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for healthy people and places, said: "Bradford is the youngest city in the United Kingdom, the Clean Air Schools programme is part of our ambition to make the district a safer and cleaner place for communities to thrive.

"[It] gives schools the opportunity to initiate further air quality improvements directly where children walk to school and play."

The programme would also involve "anti-idling enforcement" to target drivers who run their engines while parked near school gates, a council spokesperson said.

Ms Ferriby said the authority wanted families "to be given more opportunities to enjoy active travel to and from school".