Residents, schools and businesses across Bath marked Clean Air Day last week by leaving their cars at home and taking public transport, walking to school and using bikes to get to work.
The idea behind the annual Clean Air Day, which this year took place on Thursday 20th June, is to improve people’s understanding of air pollution, how it affects our health and what we can do to tackle it.
Motor vehicles create toxic air and Bath has particularly high levels of NO2, which can make heart and lung problems, such as asthma, much worse.
On Clean Air Day residents were urged to pledge to use sustainable methods of travel, while the council hosted a special pop-up event in Kingsmead Square with advice and information, and hands-on demonstrations of how to get around sustainably.
Councillor Sarah Warren, cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Neighbourhood Services, said: “It was great to see so many people change their behaviour on Clean Air Day and do their bit to reduce air pollution be it taking part in a walking bus, car sharing or ditching horse-power in favour of pedal power.
“I was particularly inspired by school pupils across the city from Combe Down to St Andrews who are taking positive action to address traffic issues around their schools.
“I went along to our event in Kingsmead Square and was really encouraged by the positive conversations I had.
“Next year I want to build on the success of this year’s Clean Air Day and would like to see road closures, free bus tickets and even deals offered on electric bikes.
“Awareness of air pollution, its impact and what we can do to tackle it is improving, but if we are to substantially improve air quality we need to help residents change their behaviour and use sustainable methods of transport whenever they can and not just on Clean Air Day.”