Children from Rockcliffe First School, in Whitley Bay, are showing their support to a campaign to help reduce localised air pollution.
North Tyneside Council launched an anti-idling campaign to encourage motorists to switch off their engines when stationary – and the school is the latest to back the campaign.
Headteacher Sharron Colpitts-Elliott said: “Our school community is very considerate so if any drivers do happen to leave their engines running nearby, we know it would be completely unintentional – that’s why this campaign is so important to raise awareness about the harm vehicle idling can do. We look forward to working further with the Go Smarter team on the anti-idling campaign."
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The campaign's primary focus is to reduce motor traffic around schools to improve safety, congestion, and air quality, but some driving inevitably continues.
The message for those who cannot switch to other modes of travel is to at least help reduce pollution by parking away from the gate and turning off their engine.
The Go Smarter team has sent an offer to all schools to work with pupils in putting up anti-idling stickers on lamp posts next to where people might park outside schools.
In addition to this, the team delivers assemblies in schools on active travel, road safety, and air pollution where the anti-idling message is also being shared.
A child from Year 3 said: "Leaving your engine running when you aren't moving your car will pollute the air. This will especially hurt children going in and out of schools like Rockcliffe. Please turn off your engines."
Another child from Year 3, adds: "Idling hurts our environment. People will breathe in the fumes from your cars and we don't want people to become poorly because of this."
The campaign also provides resources to the projects of the school to help tackle climate change and sustainability.
The school has built an allotment in their playground to support their 'Sow! Grow! Cook! Eat!' project, which has kept on growing and developing over the years.
Cllr Sandra Graham, the council cabinet member for environment, said: “Vehicle idling is a major factor in poor air quality, particularly in areas with large numbers of waiting vehicles – such as outside schools. Turning our engines off when stationary is an easy but effective way to improve it and protect the health of one another.
“Improving local air quality is also an important part of our plans to work towards being a carbon net zero borough by 2030, 20 years ahead of the Government’s target date."
The council has made significant inroads in reducing its carbon footprint through a range of projects, which has seen an ongoing programme to replace all streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs; use of more electric vehicles; vast improvements to the energy efficiency of council homes and buildings; sustainable transport routes; plans and consultations for sustainable travel options; tree planting and biodiversity areas; and more.
Many schools in the borough have supported the council’s campaign, which includes a visit and support from the Go Smarter team, provided by the council’s partner Capita, which works with schools to promote sustainable and active travel.
