As part of National Clean Air Day, South Lanarkshire Council is focusing again on engine idling, particularly at school drop off and pick up times.
To mark the national Clean Air Day campaign, the local authority is urging everyone to do their bit and switch off when their vehicle is parked.
The council’s Environmental Services team has been running an anti-engine idling campaign for several years with the ” 30 Good Reasons for switching off ” lamp post banners displayed outside all schools on rotation to encourage parents and carers to switch off when parked to improve local air quality, particularly for young people whose lungs are growing and developing.
To augment the campaign some schools have taken up the offer to run an anti-engine idling poster competition where the winning poster is turned into a railing banner.
And the winning poster from Kirktonholme Primary School in East Kilbride was prompted following a series of complaints regarding engine idling outside the school.
Head teacher Linda Wright said: “Our children are very passionate about protecting their environment and feel strongly that this is everyone’s responsibility.
“We hope this campaign will remind the adults in our lives about the importance of clear air and protecting our world for future generations.
“We are very proud of our P6 pupil Devon’s poster and her slogan – ‘Help us Breathe Easy’.”
Their winning entry will now be added to the banner which will be placed on the railings outside both exit gates.
Kevin Carr, the council’s executive director of community and enterprise resources, said: “Clean Air Day is a great opportunity to encourage everyone to back small behavioural changes to make the air we all breathe cleaner and healthier.
“Switching your engine off is a very easy one to do and has a significant positive impact in busy urban areas, especially outside schools at drop-off and pick-up times.”
For more information please read the council’s Air quality action plan and take a look at The Air that we breathe story map.
You can also report traffic pollution and engine idling to assist the council’s Environmental Health teams investigate, enforce and ultimately issue fixed penalty notices to repeat offenders.
Additional information is also available on the Scottish Government’s Vehicle engine idling: switch off when you stop page.
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