Thursday 20 June is Clean Air Day and Wokingham Borough Council is encouraging residents and businesses to take action to improve air quality.
Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts and can be a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, it particularly affects the most vulnerable in society, children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.
Most air pollution results from a concentration of nitrogen dioxide generated by motor vehicles. Wokingham Borough Council is working with fellow members of the Public Protection Partnership (a shared service delivering Environmental Health, Licensing and Trading Standards on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council, West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council) towards reducing the levels of nitrogen dioxide within the two Air Quality Management Areas to improve public health and the well-being of residents.
Most recent actions to improve air quality include:
• Work to assess the short- and medium-term options for improving the signal staging in Twyford
• A village-wide review of on-street parking controls in Twyford, to be informed by residents parking and traffic surveys that will be carried out from June to September 2019
• A review of off-street parking/commuter parking near Twyford station and
• Installing lamppost banners in Twyford, Wokingham Peach St and Barkham Road to raise awareness of air pollution and Clean Air Day in areas susceptible to air quality issues
John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “A very simple and effective way to improve the air quality in our borough is to ‘Cut your car engine and cut air pollution, when stationary’. You can find out about transport near you by logging onto My Journey - your one stop destination for travel information and advice in and around Wokingham borough. Alternatively, why not consider walking, cycling, or even buying an electric car?”
John said: “On Clean Air Day, in particular, everybody can have a positive impact on air quality. All residents and businesses across Wokingham Borough can help to reduce air pollution and limit its impact on their health and that of others.”
