Award wins for council funded air quality projects

Two air quality projects funded by Tower Hamlets Council have won awards at a ceremony organised by the charity Sustrans.

The projects were financed by the council’s Air Quality Fund, worth £200,000, which supports schools and community groups to improve air quality in the borough.

Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health at Tower Hamlets Council, said: “I’m delighted to see the variety of work being done by volunteers in communities across the borough. Air quality is a major public health issue and it is important that we all make a contribution to improving our environment. Parents, schools and community groups are helping us to raise awareness as we work to build a cleaner, more sustainable borough.”

Jill Mills, a parent at St Paul’s Way School in Bow Common was one of those recognised for her work on a sustainable travel project. Her work to raise awareness about air pollution supported by Sustrans’ Bike It training led to an increase in active travel by pupils and a decrease in pupils being driven to school.

Sam Betts, a teacher at Stebon Primary School, was also rewarded for his work promoting cycling among pupils with support from Sustrans and the council’s highways team. Cycling is now taught as part of the school’s PE programme thanks to a fleet of bikes and specially trained staff.

In the past year, the council’s Breathe Clean campaign has focused on warning residents about the impact of idling engines as well as the effect that air pollution can have on health, particularly that of children.

The council has also signed the Clean Van Commitment to move to zero-emission vehicles by 2028 and joined forces with neighbouring boroughs to promote sustainable transport through the Zero Emissions Network initiative.