Salisbury's drivers urged to take the bus for Clean Air Day
It's the UK's largest clean air campaign that takes placee today (Thursday 8th October).
People in Salisbury are being urged to leave their cars at home today by Salisbury Reds.
They want everyone to try to use sustainable transport as part of their effort to help with the national 'Clean Air Day' initiative.
Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK with the World Health Organisation and the Government recognising that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.
In July 2020, Friends of the Earth mapped all the places in England where air quality targets are being missed, which includes nine places in the city centre.
These pollution hotspots in Salisbury are:
- Wilton Road, coming off St Paul's roundabout
- South Western Road, near the train station
- Wilton Road, at Skew Bridge
- Minster Street
- Exeter Street
- Devizes Road, near the Gas Lane/Clifton Road junctions
- Endless Street, bus stops
- Catherine Street
- London Road, leading to St Mark's roundabout
The targets are set to protect people's health and prevent exposure to harmful emissions.
In February 2019, Wiltshire Council declared a climate emergency and hope to become carbon neutral by 2030.
They say they are doing a lot to tackle the problem, including investing £5.2m to make it's buildings more energy efficient.
Salisbury Reds General Manager, Alex Chutter, said:
"We are committed to helping improve the quality of air we breathe in Salisbury, and we have been working on this in a number of ways over recent months - including investing in new electric vehicles for our park and ride services, and three new British-built double decker buses for our activ8 route.
A double decker bus has the potential to take many cars off the road - even with current on-board social distancing measures in place.
And there are potential health benefits too. Beyond the bus journey itself, a relatively overlooked aspect of public transport commuting is the 'first and last miles' - that is the four daily journeys that people make to-and-from their homes and workplaces. This provides the ideal opportunity to integrate a good amount of physical activity into their daily lives."
Currently, the bus company are running on slightly reduced capacity due to social distancing measures, but you can check out busy their services are by visiting their website.
BISHOP BACKING
Reverend Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury, is also backing the Clean Air Day campaign.
He wants to see us make a change, as one of the Diocese of Salisbury parishes has England's worst road pollution hotspot.
He said:
"Because of the pandemic we are more focussed on where we live, appreciate the natural environment and the responsibility we have to care better for God's earth.
We know the dangers. Let's use the opportunities to Build Back Better for all, for our children and for God's sake."
The Diocese of Salisbury was recently awarded a gold Eco Church award.