Manchester pledges to change travel habits for Clean Air Day
Events are taking place in Manchester today to mark the second Clean Air Day
Last updated 21st Jun 2018
A national day of action is taking place today with the second Clean Air Day, and Manchester is pledging to make some changes.
A pop-up in Exchange Square is offering free lung-health checks and activities to highlight the issue of air pollution in our city.
People across the region are being encouraged to leave their cars at home for the day, and break away from their usual travel habits.
This coincides with a national call on the government to tackle air pollution, as it is estimated that up to 2,000 people die prematurely in Greater Manchester each year as a result of polluted air.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has spoken on the issue, saying:
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that poor air quality is one of the biggest – and deadliest – challenges of the modern age.
“I’m working with local councils and transport and health trusts to make sure we’re doing everything we can to tackle this problem. But the stark truth is, we can’t succeed alone.
“On last year’s first ever Clean Air Day we saw thousands of people pledging to make changes to help clean up our air. This year I want to see even more people take long-term action. Every single one of us needs to think about making small lifestyle changes to help clean up the air we all breathe. "
Use of public transport is being encouraged, with Metrolink offering free travel to passengers before 7am and after 7pm today.
Road transport is largely responsible for some of the most dangerous air pollutants in Greater Manchester, including nitrogen dioxide and particulates.
Vehicle exhausts can produce harmful gases and tiny particles of soot and other matter that cause health problems and harm our environment.
The Mayor also says the government needs to focus on funding public transport in order to keep people using it:
“Nationally, we need government to step up and help local authorities across the UK, through investment in public transport and a national diesel scrappage scheme to effectively tackle this looming health and environmental crisis.
“I hope that Clean Air Day will really focus attention on these important issues and, more importantly, encourage us all to take action."
Burnham was joined at a Clean Air summit yesterday by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and other city leaders across the UK, where they proposed to the government new measures to tackle air pollution, including a ban on the sale of new pure diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030.
To find out more about Clean Air Day events and make a pledge, visit TfGM's website or follow #GMCleanAirDay on Twitter for the latest news.
Pledges to take action include: leaving the car at home just one day a week; car-sharing when possible; working from home regularly; walking and cycling more; and encouraging friends to do the same.