LCCC plays its part in Clean Air Day 2022

June 16, 2022

Primary schools across Lisburn and Castlereagh have been learning how to improve the quality of the air around their school and raise awareness in the wider community.

LCCC is promoting Clean Air Day to help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone including children who are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution because their immune systems, lungs and brains are still growing.

All schools within the council area were invited to participate in an initiative to tackle air pollution in and around their school. This is done through educating students, parents and the general public on the effects of idling vehicles and by encouraging cars, taxis and buses turn off their engines whilst outside school.

Participating primary schools were provided with resource packs, which included a range of educational materials and resources to help them run their no idling initiative. Schools were given banners, car stickers and information leaflets encouraging ‘Engine Off Prevent the Cough’.

As part of their initiative, Riverdale Primary School and Old Warren Primary School pupils made videos for their school’s social media platforms to help educate and inform the wider school and their local community.

Councillor Martin Gregg, Chair of the Environmental Services Committee, said: "The council is committed to supporting National Clean Air Day on June 16 to improve, in particular, air quality around schools.

“Vehicle idling happens when your vehicle engine is running but you’re not moving for more than 10-20 seconds e.g. waiting outside a school, at a red light or at roadworks. Not all cars have start/stop technology so please turn off your engine to reduce emissions and save fuel.

“We want to educate students and parents about the benefits of not idling and the small things they can do to make a big difference so that the Lisburn and Castlereagh area becomes a safer and healthier place to live, work and visit for generations to come.”

The project is being run in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council and is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The project aims to support the council’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of residents which is a key theme of our Corporate Plan, Community Plan and Local Development Plan.

For more information and to register your interest to participate in the next no idling project go to www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/noidling