Colchester pupils campaign against air pollution in city

Pupils from St Thomas More’s Primary School donned masks and lined Brook Street, in Colchester, urging drivers to switch off their engine while they were stopped.

It follows a Gazette report last month revealing air pollution in Colchester centre is breaking three World Health Organisation limits, according to the Central Office of Public Interest.

The town was found to break three WHO limits on specific pollutants, including PM2.5, where Colchester had 11.36mcg/m3, when the WHO limit is 5mcg/m3.

Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can cause asthma, strain lung functions and promote cancer.

Campaign - the pupils warned drivers

On Thursday, the Year 5 pupils drew attention to the fact pollution from vehicles can accumulate and affect the air we breathe as part of the CAReless Pollution campaign.

Vehicle drivers are being urged to adopt better driving habits by switching off the car engine while stationary at traffic lights, and especially outside schools, to stop children having to breathe polluted air.

Inhaling bad air can also cause heart problems and strokes and it is linked to one in 20 deaths in Colchester.

One St Thomas More’s pupil said: “We have been learning about air pollution at school and how bad air is produced by vehicle exhausts.

“I don’t want to have to be in a cloud of smoke, that’s why I want more drivers to switch off the engine when they are not moving.”

Plea - youngsters urged motorists to turn off their engines when stationary

CAReless Pollution stated “many drivers” it surveyed in Colchester admitted to inadvertently contributing to air pollution by keeping their vehicles running when stationary.

Colchester Council’s environment boss, Steph Nissen said the council-launched initiative demonstrates the authority’s commitment to tackling exhaust fumes.

She said: “It’s encouraging to see the students helping to spread the word about improving air quality. I would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to visit the campaign website.”

Council leader David King added: “I applaud St Thomas More’s Primary School and its pupils for seeing the importance of clean air.

“They did a great job at reminding drivers that small changes in behaviour can make a big difference for the better.”