Basingstoke MP Maria Miller joined with children at St Mark’s Church of England Primary School when they participated in the first session of an Air Quality project, led by Jean MacGrory of Hampshire County Council’s My Journey Travel Planning Team. Cllr Stephen Reid, who is Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills also attended.
The My Journey Travel Planning team works with schools across Hampshire to monitor and raise awareness of air quality and promote ways of creating cleaner air through sustainable travel initiatives and resources. They are currently working with two schools in Basingstoke, with Chiltern Primary School participating, as well as St Mark’s Church of England Primary School.
The initial meeting involved talking to the children about the issue of air pollution and deciding where to sample air pollution levels around the school. Further sessions will involve recording the results of the monitoring and getting the children to discuss how to plan a Clean Air Campaign to change people’s travel behaviour.
Maria said: “I want to keep Basingstoke a great place to live and an important part of that is protecting our clean air. This established programme run by Hampshire County Council helps educate young people about the importance of good air quality and the practical steps we can all take to improve the quality of our air.”
“I am looking forward to coming along to a further session at St Mark’s Primary School, to see the results of the monitoring of air quality, and hearing what practical ideas the children have come up with to improve the air quality around their school.”
Cllr Stephen Reid, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, Human Resources and Performance said: “Everybody can have a positive influence on air quality and I spent a fascinating morning at St Mark’s Primary School finding out how we can all make a difference. This work in schools is a great way for young people to learn about the positive impact they and their families can have on local air quality by walking, cycling or taking a scooter to school, and leaving the car at home when they can.”
My Journey is the sustainable travel brand of Hampshire County Council and aims to tackle poor air quality and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle by encouraging people to use a greater level of cycling, walking and public transport to replace shorter journeys made by car. To find out more, visit www.myjourneyhampshire.com.
