Children and parents took big strides to support Clean Air Day 2022 last week – with the launch of another successful Park & Stride scheme.
The new scheme in Fleckney – the latest in a series across the county run by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with local schools - was launched last Thursday.
Park & Stride is aimed at getting children walking safely to school, as well as reducing harmful emissions from car journeys. It involves the use of nearby car parks for children to then walk the rest of the way- normally five to ten minutes- to school, accompanied by their parents, carers, or guardians.
It is a perfect fit with Clean Air Day, which is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution. Clean Air Day’s messages are simple – everyone can do their bit to reduce pollution and making small changes like leaving their cars and walking instead can make a big difference.
Air pollution can affect everyone, although is particularly harmful to the most vulnerable people in our community. This includes pregnant women, children, older people and those with underlying health conditions.
This Clean Air Day, Leicestershire County Council encouraged people to think about their environmental impact and the simple steps they can take to help reduce air pollution.
“Air pollution can have serious negative effects on people’s health.
Our continuing support of Clean Air Day and continued commitment to the environment show that we at the council are taking these health impacts seriously.
We will continue to demonstrate our support for action on air pollution and cut down on the pollution we cause, taking the impact on our health very seriously.
Person:Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for public health
The council is supporting Clean Air Day as part of its drive to address climate change through becoming a net zero council by 2030 and working with Leicestershire people and organisations to become a net zero county by 2045 or before.
“It was great to be able to support Clean Air Day for another year, as it gives us all an opportunity to think about our own impact on the environment and air pollution.
Person:Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda
As part of its commitment to net zero, Leicestershire County Council is inviting people to get involved in a major consultation, running until 26 July. People take part in the consultation on our net zero webpage.
To find out more about sustainable travel, visit Choose How You Move