Redbridge air: We really care

A year-long community-driven project aimed at raising awareness of air quality issues around Redbridge has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in the borough's environmental initiatives. 

The ‘We Care For Our Air’ project brought together local volunteers, school children, and community groups to provide critical data on air pollution hotspots across Redbridge, empowering residents to take action towards cleaner air.

The centerpiece was the real-time monitoring of air quality across the borough, with volunteers working to regularly collect data over the course of a year. Those results were then plotted onto a publicly accessible online map highlighting areas most affected by air pollution. 

Now Redbridge residents are being encouraged to take part in a new survey investigating public awareness and understanding of air pollution issues in the borough. Participants will be entered into a prize draw, with the chance of winning a new bike, scooter or £50 and £25 shopping vouchers. 

This aims to gauge residents’ levels of concern and whether access to air quality information influences behaviour. The findings will provide valuable insights into current understanding and attitudes, helping to shape future initiatives to mitigate air pollution in Redbridge as we move forward.

The survey can be accessed here: https://qrco.de/WeCareforOurAirsurvey

For more information about the project, access to the air quality map, and resources for improving air quality in your area, please visit https://engage.redbridge.gov.uk/our-air-redbridge and https://mappingforchange.org.uk/projects/care-for-our-air-redbridge/

Parents at Woodlands Primary School, Loxford joined together, to make a pledge to reduce their contribution to air pollution on the school run.

Levels of air pollution across Redbridge are falling overall, however there are still hotspots which exceed safe limits set by the government and most of the outdoor air pollution comes from vehicle emissions. We can all help improve our air by leaving the car at home, or if you must drive, turning your engine off when stationary. These are easy ways to achieve an immediate improvement to our local air quality.

To find out more about what you can do to reduce your exposure to air pollution, go to Redbridge We Care for Our Air. Residents are also being asked to take part in a new survey investigating public awareness and understanding of air pollution issues in the borough. Participants will be entered into a prize draw, with the chance of winning a new bike, scooter or £50 and £25 shopping vouchers. This will help shape future initiatives to mitigate air pollution in Redbridge as we move forward. Click here to take part:  https://qrco.de/WeCareforOurAirsurvey or bit.ly/40VilDX 

PRIZE DRAW closes: 28^th February 2025

   

Residents and Council Officers came together on the 28^th November to celebrate the achievements of We Care for Our Air Redbridge, a Defra funded air pollution awareness-raising campaign.

The stars of the show were undoubtably the Eco Ambassadors from Barley Lane Primary School, that gave insight into their air quality experiments and shared their efforts to encourage parents and teachers to adopt more sustainable travel options for the school run.

The results from the residents’ nitrogen dioxide monitoring, available to see here, revealed that some areas may require further monitoring to ensure levels fall below safe limits set by the government. Without the dedication and contributions of all the local volunteers over the last 12 months, this detailed understanding of the current air quality situation would not have been possible. Thank you to everyone involved.

If you are interested in joining an Air Quality & Environmental Community group, use this link to sign up. For more information, feel free to email: traianka.orlinova@redbridge.gov.uk. 

Please also tell us what you think about Redbridge We Care for Our Air by completing this online survey and be in with a chance of winning - a bike, scooter or £50 shopping voucher. 

Download free We Care for Our Air information here 

The air pollution problems in Redbridge need no introduction which is why we’re happy to announce positive steps in tackling them.

The We Care For Our Air initiative saw pupils from Woodlands and Barley Lane primary schools hosting Clean Air Play Street events in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Engagement team.

With vehicle emissions particularly damaging to young lungs, the children showed that walking, wheeling and cycling to school is not only healthier but a lot more fun.

You can also take steps to protect yourself with our free Healthy Lung Habits resource pack setting out handy ways of reducing the effects of pollution inside and outside your home.

Councillor Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability and a huge supporter of the campaign, said: “I’m passionate about providing cleaner air and a safer environment for our residents so it’s amazing to see our youngsters leading the way. 

I’d encourage everyone to download the We Care For Our Air resource pack so they can get involved too. More involvement means cleaner air and a healthier future.”

Download your free Healthy Lung Habits resource pack today. 

Find out what you can do to get involved in Clean Air Day (Thursday 20^th June) by visiting Clean Air Hub: What Can I Do about Air Pollution?(External link)

Cars and vans are the biggest sources of toxic chemicals in our air, which can harm every organ in the body, causing heart, and lung disease, dementia and strokes.

You may be exposed to higher levels of air pollution if you live near a busy road, and some people are more vulnerable to its affects (including children, the elderly, and people with health conditions).

Learn more about how air pollution harms our health and the planet and find out what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Visit the Clean Air Hub(External link).

Do you have experiences of air pollution you could share?

1. Perhaps you live on a busy road and struggle with the noise and smell of road traffic emissions?
2. Or you have a health condition such as asthma, which means you really feel the effect of air pollution?
3. Or maybe you’re concerned for the health of friends or family members and don’t know how to help them.
4. Or you worry about black mould or smoking in your home.

Why we want to hear your story. Because air pollution is invisible, it’s easy for people to think it’s not there or that it’s not affecting them or their children. Your personal story can give meaning to the clean air information and facts we are putting together so they have much more impact. Your story can help residents understand that air pollution is real and it does impact everyone especially those most vulnerable such as the young, elderly and those with existing health issues.

You can choose how your story is used. You can choose to remain anonymous, if you do not want to identify yourself. You can choose the channels we use to share your story (print/web/TV/radio etc). We’ll always get in touch each time we would like to share your story.

If you are interested in sharing your story just send us a quick email at wecareforourair@pwlcprojects.com(External link) and we will help you share your story.

The 'We care for our Air' project aims to raise levels of knowledge and understanding about air quality levels in Redbridge, particularly in the areas of Loxford, Goodmayes and Newbury. We would really like to hear your thoughts about:

• What is your experience of air quality in your local area?
• Do you know of anyone who has been or is affected by poor air quality? 
• What do you think can be done to reduce exposure to poor air quality? 
• Ideas for small actions we can all take to improve air quality in our daily life?

After the amazing response to our baseline Air Quality Awareness survey back in September 2023, we are delighted to announced the winners of the survey prize draw!!

First place went to Sebastian and his son Adam who are delighted with their fantastic new bike and are looking forward to cycling together. Adam said he loves his new bike and that more people should cycle to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide. We need to look after our planet!

Second and third prizes went to James O'Donnell and Brian from Woodford, who both won a children's scooter and the remaining Love 2 Shop vouchers went to six winners including Umesh P and Emma B!!

A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped us evaluate air quality awareness across Redbridge.

If you'd like to be more involved in the project such as helping with our Community Air Quality monitoring(External link) initiative please do get in touch by emailing wecareforourair@pwlcprojects.com(External link).

If you'd like to increase your cycle confidence or learn to ride a bike book a FREE cycle Training(External link) session for adults, children, families or groups by clicking HERE(External link).

We're excited to announce the launch of Redbridge's own Air Quality map(External link), designed and delivered by our brilliant partners Mapping for Change.

Thank you to the 78 residents and organisations who have helped put up diffusion tubes each month to test for levels of nitrogen dioxide (a key urban pollutant).

The first two month's worth of Air Quality data is now available to view on the Redbridge Air Quality Map(External link)(External link). Please do take a look to see how clean your local area is.

If you would like to be involved in contributing to the map, please email air@mappingforchange.org.uk(External link) to order a tube. You can put one up at a place that matters to you, such as your balcony or garden, a park or a bus stop you frequently use.

It's free an easy and the more people that join in, the better informed we'll be!

Click here(External link) to watch this short video to see how volunteers set up their monitors at home.