Call to Action for National Clean Air Day

Ahead of National Clean Air Day on 21st June, Stockport Council is calling on its residents to take action on air pollution.

The Council is encouraging residents to make a personal pledge at www.tfgm.com/air to help tackle poor air quality in the borough.

Poor air quality is one of the most important health and environmental challenges facing everyone in Stockport.

Clean Air Day is part of a national day of action aimed at getting people across the country to think about how they can make a long-term difference to our air quality.

Councillor Sheila Bailey, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:

“We as a Council are working hard with Transport for Greater Manchester to tackle air pollution in the borough, however we cannot do this alone and  we need our residents to take personal action to improve air quality.”

“Air pollution today may be largely invisible but the dangers to our health and the environment are very real. We are therefore encouraging people to make a pledge to reduce pollution in order to protect their families’ health and the environment. By working together we can make a real difference to air quality in the borough.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has recently pledged to move to a zero-emission bus fleet in Greater Manchester

Ten Tips to Reduce Air Pollution

• Think before you use your car walk or cycle short journeys where possible.

• Walk your children to school where possible. Brisk walking will be good for them and you!

• When you change your car, explore an electric, hybrid or LPG model. Diesel vehicles have a very bad impact on air quality.

• Explore cycling, walking and public transport alternatives for commuting to work. 

• Drive smoothly, obey the speed limit and use gears appropriately.

• Switch off the engine when not moving.

• Keep your vehicle well maintained and regularly check your tyre pressures.

• Ask your employer about whether it is possible to work from home one day a week.

• If you have to drive see if there are any colleagues you can care share with.

• Burn smokeless fuels or dry, well seasoned wood on your barbecue or wood burning stove. Save the wood-burning stove for the bleak winter, Burning wood produces a lot of air pollutants. To minimise your contribution to air pollution buy a Defra-approved stove, use authorised fuel, and only light it when you really have to.