Children across the borough are telling their parents to stop being idle, as part of a campaign to improve air quality outside their schools.
Pupils at Lower Halstow Primary School, Ospringe Primary School and Newington Primary School took part in a competition to design a banner to encourage people to switch off their engines outside the school gates.
The competition was organised by the council as part of its Clean Air for Schools initiative. This aims to highlight the harm caused by motorists not switching off their engines when they are waiting in traffic or outside schools at drop off or pick up times.
Council officers went to the school to talk to the children about air pollution and the risks it poses.
Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for environment at the council, said:
“Idling engines cause unnecessary emissions, which contribute to air pollution that can be particularly harmful to young children.
Most people probably don’t realise the harm it does, but these banners will help people to think about how their actions are affecting others.”
The Clean Air for Schools initiative has been set up as part of the council’s air quality action plan and aims to work with schools to encourage sustainable travel options and raise awareness of air pollution.
Swale Borough Council
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