One month to go to Clean Air Day in Scotland

Pupils from an Edinburgh school helped Clean Air Day Scotland celebrate its fifth birthday – with a call for motorists to leave the car at home when the campaign takes place on 17th June.

Article Source: Clean Air Day
Last Updated: 17 May 2021 10:59

Sciennes Primary School is one of 12 in the city to run a ‘school street,’ where the route outside a school is shut to vehicles at certain times during the school day to encourage children to walk and cycle, improving their health and reducing exposure to air pollution from vehicles.

With one month to go until the Clean Air Day Scotland, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, helped Sciennes’ primary six Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSO’s) Eilidh Mowbray, aged 10, Amy Yang, aged, 10, and Rory Smith, both aged 11, and a group of primary seven pupils launched the campaign in the Sciennes Road ‘school street.’

Pupils designed bunting which they hung on the school railings in the once congested road and signed pledges to walk and cycle and to encourage their families to ditch the car.

Also in attendance was the school’s depute headteacher Lucy Gallagher, teacher Gregor Hutchison, Caroline McKenna, co-chair of the school PTA and John Bynorth from the charity, Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS), which is coordinating Clean Air Day in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The pupils were presented with the first ever Clean Air Day colouring book – a collaboration between EPS and art students across Scotland – which has drawings for children to bring to life on an air pollution and environmental theme.

The campaign has established itself as Scotland’s main air quality campaign since the first National Clean Air Day took place in June 2017.

On 17th June, people are being encouraged to walk or cycle, rather than use the car, particularly on the school run or for other shorter trips to schools and supermarkets. The campaign also encourages people to consider walking or cycling less polluted side streets after research found this could reduce a child exposure to air pollution by 30%. Clean Air Day campaigners also want people to consider the purchase of an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) ahead of the ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel cars and vans from 2030.

Sciennes Primary School are a long established supporter of Clean Air Day Scotland.

In 2017, pupils met Roseanna Cunningham, who was then the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, at the school on the first National Clean Air Day. At the 2018 event, 99 Sciennes’ pupils marched down The Mound with placards proclaiming the need for better air quality before they met with the City of Edinburgh Council leader, Adam McVey.

Sciennes Primary School’s headteacher Andrew Hunter said: “Sciennes Primary School has supported Clean Air Day for many years and our involvement has helped our pupils learn about air pollution and how it can affect health. The campaign supports our promotion of the benefits of active travel and care for the environment.”

Lucy Gallagher, Sciennes Primary School’s depute headteacher, said: “As a Unicef Gold Rights Respecting School we are very pleased to continue our support for Clean Air Day to raise awareness of children's right to good health and to promote active travel. Clean Air Day also ties in with the Sustainable Development Goals to tackle Climate Change - an issue which is extremely important to our young people and brought into even sharper focus with the forthcoming COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.

“We want to thank City of Edinburgh Council for listening to our children's voices and closing the road outside Sciennes Primary so they can have clean air every day on their safe and active route to school.”

Caroline McKenna, co-chair of Sciennes Primary School’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), said: “This school really encourages cycling and walking to school. Having this section of road closed makes everything so much easier for children to get into school. There are massive benefits from ‘school streets’ with less traffic, lower pollution levels and a calmer environment for everyone.”

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, a trustee of Environmental Protection Scotland, said: “In Edinburgh we wholeheartedly support the Clean Air Day campaign’s aims, and through initiatives like School Streets we’re helping our youngest generations to make journeys by healthy, active travel. It’s wonderful to see some of our Junior Road Safety Officers join in to celebrate Clean Air Day’s fifth anniversary, and to spread the clean air message, which will be so important for years to come. This Clean Air Day we’re reaffirming our commitment to tackle air pollution, for the future of our city.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The air that we breathe is fundamental to human life and the quality of our environment, protecting and enhancing our health and wellbeing.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that it is more important than ever that we design a more sustainable, greener economy which will better support our communities, health and environment as we head for net-zero by 2045.

“We would encourage all people and organisations to engage in Scotland’s fifth Clean Air Day, and reflect on how, together, we can build a better, cleaner future for our planet, this generation – and those to come.”

John Bynorth, Policy and Communications Officer at Environmental Protection Scotland (EPS), coordinators of Clean Air Day in Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, said: “Five is the age when most children go to school so 2021 is milestone for Clean Air Day – and time to focus further on the need to ensure air quality remains good to protect our children’s health.

“On 17th June, Clean Air Day will demonstrate our support for action on air pollution and speak out to show how much we care about building a clean air future for our children.”

“Schools across the country are learning about the health benefits cycling, walking and the benefits this has on air quality, particularly in towns and cities. We’ve got an opportunity after lockdown, which saw dramatic reductions in car use, to build a healthier, less polluting Scotland.”

Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, the overall UK coordinators of Clean Air Day, said: “We are thrilled to continue supporting Clean Air Day Scotland in its fifth year and applaud schools like Sciennes Primary School for setting up School Streets. These measures make such a difference to improving air quality and also help to inspire and normalise action on tackling air pollution.

“This Clean Air Day we must demonstrate our support for action on air pollution and speak out to show how much we care about building a clean air future for our children. As we return to our lives, we must take this opportunity to create healthy environment for our children where they can learn and play safely. We have a once in a lifetime chance for change. Let’s use it.”

The Scottish Government is finalising its new Cleaner Air For Scotland strategy, which will be published later this year. It aims to build on the strengths of the original strategy, published in 2015, and make Scotland’s air quality the best in Europe.

Clean Air Day resources can be downloaded from https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/scotland

Image by photographer Mark Gibson shows Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, helped Sciennes’ primary six Junior Road Safety Officers

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Edinburgh News

Peppa Pig Casting Announced

Fierylight, in collaboration with Hasbro, are thrilled to announce the cast for the upcoming ‘oinktastic’ UK tour of Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show, coming to Edinburgh Playhouse in March.

Edinburgh Christmas Parties & Activities 2025

With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your Edinburgh festive celebrations.

Bongos Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year

This festive season at The O2 Academy, Bongo’s Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time when coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme.

Casting for MAMMA MIA! Announced

Full casting is announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse for the festive season playing from Tue 9 Dec 2025 - Sun 4 Jan 2026.

Women lead the way in the National Galleries of Scotland 2026 programme

National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2026.

Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Edinburgh in October

The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!

Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland

Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk

Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to lead out 8,500 Kiltwalkers at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Sunday September 14) raising £1.5 million for 800 charities.

Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic

Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.

Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists

Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.

Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland

This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition

Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced

With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.

Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward

Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.

Fresh deals for freshers

Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.

Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music

The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.

Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh

Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.

Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.

Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October

This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.

Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025

Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!

Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding

Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.

Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room

Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.

Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.

Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings

This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.

September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.

Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie

Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour

Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.

Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops

Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.