The children were joined by trained adult volunteers, as well as Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Transport and Public Realm, and were outside the school gates ready to approach parents who kept their engines running while waiting.

This proactive approach is working to educate motorists, inviting them to join the campaign and switch off their engines. Plumcroft Primary School is working with Greenwich Council as part of the London-wide ‘Vehicle Idling Action’ behaviour change campaign in the hopes to reduce emissions in the surrounding area.

Reducing emissions and addressing current levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution are key priorities for the Council. The Council is actively looking at other initiatives to improve air quality, particularly relating to the streets around schools. These include the introduction of ‘car free days’ in busy locations across the borough, Low Emission Areas for major regeneration sites in the Greenwich Peninsular, Millennium Village and more, as well as upgrading our own fleet to reduce pollution contribution.

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Transport and Public Realm said:

“The more people we can educate about the impact that engine idling has on our health and the environment - the better. These action days are a great way to make you think about small steps we can take every day to improve our local air quality.

“Special thanks should go to the school children for their enthusiasm about this critical issue which will help us drive this message home.”