Medway Labour & Co-operative Councillors in Luton and Wayfield have used their ward funding to support the installation a new green wall at Luton Junior School.

This community-led initiative by Arches Local will help to reduce levels of pollution in the school playground and classrooms.

Air pollution is a national issue and long-term exposure causes 36,000 deaths a year, and is especially harmful to children, the elderly, and those with ill-health.

Chatham’s air quality is amongst the worst in the country, but this green wall will help to protect children from harmful chemicals caused primarily by car fumes.

Cllr Simon Curry, Labour & Co-op Councillor for Luton & Wayfield said, “The impact on all our health from high levels of air pollution in our town centres is of great concern and we are calling on the Council to do as much as possible to reduce levels, especially of the pollutants caused by traffic.

“The work here at Luton Junior School is fantastic, it not only helps reduce air pollution but also helps our local wildlife and looks good as well!  But it is only part of the solution to the problem.

“Medway Council is lagging behind most other authorities in taking firm action to reduce air pollution. If Medway Council was run by Labour & Co-op councillors, we would invest in planting more trees to improve air quality, focus on creating a publicly-owned and affordable bus service, and call on the government to invest more into more sustainable vehicles.”

Together with New Build Landscapes, local residents and Luton Junior School teaching staff these hoardings were successfully installed at the school during the February 2020 Half Term.

Ivy Clad hoardings can help reduce street level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by as much as 40% and dust particles by up to 60%. They will also increase the biodiversity of that area by encouraging nesting birds, butterflies and other insects.

Cool Towns is cooperation between 13 European partners aimed to counteract the negative effects of climate change and find attractive solutions that make cities climate proof and robust so that heat stress is prevented or limited as much as possible. For more info go to https://www.cooltowns.eu/

http://newbuildlandscapes.com/

http://urbangreening.co.uk/

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/aqma/local-authorities?la_id=157

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-health-england-publishes-air-pollution-evidence-review

https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200140/environment_health_and_safety/416/air_quality

Arches local: www.archeslocal.org.uk