New initiative launched to monitor and improve air quality in East Renfrewshire
We've launched a new initiative aimed at improving air quality, parking congestion and safety at the school gates
Published: 17 November 2023
The project was launched at Braidbar Primary today (17 November) at an air quality school assembly with a competition to design an air quality banner for use around the school also introduced.
Staff and pupils at Braidbar Primary have already been working closely with the parent council to improve road safety and were delighted to be part of the launch of this new initiative.
Funding for the project, which has been provided through the Scottish Government and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), will support the Council's Environmental Health team to raise the profile of anti-vehicle idling patrols carried out by Community Safety Officers carry around school gates and aims to encourage greater consideration to the safety of young people. Environmental Health will work with colleagues in Education and at SEPA to take the project forward.
To support the launch, two Community Safety Officers will patrol around different school gates for 10 hours a week and a waterproof digital display screen will showcase a rotation of air quality and road safety messages.
The use of new digital signage, school banners and targeted messaging seeks to prevent engine idling, promote safer parking and encourage active travel. If successful, these measures will improve air quality and help address some of the parking issues at school gates which are often raised as a significant concern.
Bollard collars will also be used to help raise the profile of the Community Safety Officers who will be on hand to engage with members of the public and encourage safe parking and switching off of engines.
The initiative will be rolled out to all schools in the area with an air monitor used to check air quality at school gates.
Councillor Danny Devlin, Convener for Environment and Housing, said: 'This multi-partnership approach is a great way to address air quality, road safety and parking issues which are a daily concern at schools across the area. Poor air quality can significantly affect our health and wellbeing, so it's great to see Braidbar Primary getting on board with the campaign launch. It's vital that we all make positive changes, so I'd encourage you to switch your car engine off when stopping near schools, be mindful of others on your commute, and think about travelling to school more actively when you can.'
