Research reveals toxic air at hundreds of South Yorkshire schools
A road next to a Barnsley school will be closed today to mark Clean Air Day
Shocking new stats reveal hundreds of South Yorkshire schools are in areas with dangerously high air pollution.
684 are in parts of Yorkshire where levels are above the WHO limit - 40% of which are in Sheffield - according to EarthSense.
It comes as a road next to a Barnsley primary school will today become the first of ten in the town to close in a bid for cleaner air.
Graham Turnbull from Clear Air Sheffield says pollution's having a big impact:
"It's a big issue worldwide, it's a big issue in the UK, it's a big issue in Sheffield. It's probably a bit worse than average in Sheffield than it is in the UK, partly due to the nature of our geography.
"Those particules are smaller than red blood cells. So if they get into your lungs, they get into your blood, they can travel to any organ in the body. And they do.
"Since the official limits have been set 15/16 years ago we've learned so much more about the health effects. We know for instance there is almost no organ in the body that is unaffected by this pollution."
But Graham says it's not all about cars:
"We have to stop burning things - we have to stop burning wood in our homes, we have to stop using so-called smokeless fuel, we have to stop having rubbish bonfires, we have to stop using fireworks."
A section of Shaftesbury Avenue outside Hoyland Springwood Primary School in Barnsley will be closed for most of today to tackle the problem, along with road safety.
It's to mark Clean Air day today - parents are being asked to leave their cars at home so children can walk, cycle and scoot to school without the danger of traffic.
Councillor Jim Andrews, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health, said:
“We are faced with school streets across Barnsley that are dangerous, stressful and unpleasant places to be during drop-off and pick-up times.
“By closing the road to all but essential traffic through the School Streets programme, we can host activities for children and demonstrate that streets can be enjoyable places for children and families to live, work, learn and play together.
“Travelling to school by alternative means – like walking, biking or scootering – has benefits for physical and mental health, can leave children feeling energised as they start their school day and allows families to spend more time together.”
A further nine roads outside schools in Barnsley will also be closed in the future thanks for funding from government.