Revealed: London's 50 most polluted primary schools

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launches the first of 50 'air quality audits' at Prior Weston Primary School in central London
PA
Pippa Crerar14 September 2017

The 50 most polluted primary schools in London have been revealed by the Mayor as he announced plans to help reduce pupils’ exposure to filthy air.

Sadiq Khan was giving details of proposals for each of the worst-affected schools to be given a “toxic air” audit this year and advice on minimising emissions. The first to benefit will be Prior Weston Primary in Islington.

Mr Khan, who has already announced £250,000 funding for the audits, said the scheme would help protect thousands of children from the worst air in London.

But he added that other measures, such as his T-charge on older vehicles in central London and the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone, were needed.

Some critics have warned that schools in outer London could see increased emissions as cars are “pushed away” from the city centre when the ULEZ is extended to the North and South Circulars.

Toxic air: Bowes Primary School pupil Lola Chattam outside the north London school

All 50 primaries on the list had readings of nitrogen dioxide, which is linked to lung conditions, of well over 40 micrograms per cubic metre, the legal limit.

The worst affected, according to the most recent data, was St Mary’s Bryanston Square CofE in Westminster, on 67 µg/m³.

Global engineering consultancy WSP will advise schools on measures including moving entrances and play areas. Other proposals include “no idling” engine schemes during the school run and “barrier bushes” to filter air.

Larger projects such as improved road layouts and pedestrianisation could be brought in by councils.

If successful, the 50-school pilot could be rolled out by boroughs to every school in the capital.

Mr Khan said: “These air quality audits are a big step towards helping some of the most polluted schools in London identify effective solutions to protect pupils from toxic fumes but, of course, this is only part of the solution.”

Conservative London Assembly member Shaun Bailey said: “My research identified over 50 schools in outer London that will likely see increased emissions as cars are pushed away from the city centre with the expanded ULEZ.”

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