We are committed to improving our air quality for our residents and visitors. Small changes can make a big difference when protecting ourselves. COVID-19 has highlighted that the way we live our lives is changing. Air pollution was greatly improved during the pandemic and continuous effort now will improve this further.
The Importance
Poor and dirty air quality has been proven to have direct links to health consequences. This includes the onset of heart disease and cancer.
The elderly and school children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. This is due to their heights, stages of development and proximity to areas with higher emissions, for example at the school gates.
How to improve your air quality:
There are a number of ways you can get involved and promote improvements both within the community and individually including:
1. Road Use
- Reduce unnecessary trips or change the way you travel eg cycling, walking
- Car share where possible
- Switch off the engine when waiting – avoid idling
- Park further away from schools
- Regular maintenance of your vehicle
- When walking on roads, choose routes where less vehicles travel on
2. Home Use
- Use energy efficient appliances and devices eg lightbulbs
- Switch off home appliances (at the plug) and lights when not using
- Maintain your heating systems properly
- Regularly ventilate your property to avoid damp and mould
- Do not burn household waste – consider recycling, donating or arranging collections of certain items
3. Future Considerations
- Consider walking and cycling - rather than using your car
- Public Transport – Consider using alternatives for your essential commutes
- Purchase an Electric Vehicle (EVs) – these are becoming increasingly more popular and attractive. Most brands now offer at least one EV within their ranges. These have cheaper running costs than traditional vehicles and are increasing in the number of charging points within towns.