Parents to be banned from driving kids on school run in drastic bid to cut pollution – and face £50 fine if they don’t stop
Thousands of schools are said to be set to follow, with other measures including penalties leading to points on licences
PARENTS are being banned from the school run in a bid to cut pollution, and protect kids from breathing in dangerous fumes.
Schools around the country are piloting schemes to stop parents hovering in their cars at the school gates - and they face a £50 fine if they flout the ban.
Thousands of schools are set to follow, , with other measures including penalties leading to points on licences.
Campaigners now want the ban to be put in place throughout the country, with one in four cars said to be on the road during the school run.
Director of policy and communications at the British Lung Foundation, Alison Cook, said: “Toxic air is linked to asthma and chronic chest problems, and damage to the lungs in early age is irreversible.
“That’s why illegal levels of pollution around schools is hugely worrying.”
Rosamund Kissi-Debrah's daughter, Ella, died from an asthma attack linked to air pollution in February 2013.
She lived with her next to one of London's busiest roads 25 metres from the South Circular Road in Lewisham.
Rosamund said: “The UK has the highest rates for asthma deaths in Europe. Pollution levels can soar by as much as 50 per cent by cars left running, commonly occurring at school gates across the country.
"I can’t stress enough how damaging this is to our children’s health. The only way we can really make a difference is for uniform rules across the country.”
In January it was revealed Rosamund can seek a second inquest through the High Court to look into air pollution links - which could see the first one quashed.
How many deaths are linked to pollution in the UK?
Air pollution in the UK has been linked to an estimated 40,000 premature deaths.
It has been labelled a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.
Described as “the invisible killer” by the EEA, air pollution is the main cause of premature death in 41 European countries.
The level of air pollution is known to be a major risk factor for childhood asthma.
In England and Wales 1,320 people died of asthma in 2017, a rise of more than 25 per cent over a decade.
The findings have sparked concern the air pollution crisis in the UK is impacting on the health of the elderly and children.
In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has recently outlined plans to tackle the capital's "toxic air".
A report from 2017 found every part of London exceeded the WHO guidelines for pollution limit.
Pilot schemes that have been set up at various schools include walk-to-school initiatives, kids handing out fake tickets to parents who arrive in cars and "park and stride" schemes.
Cops in Solihull, West Mids, have been handing out £50 fines to parents who ignore the ban.
Experts have said kids are at risk from pollution as they retain the toxins for longer, arguing a ban could "significantly help" reduce children's exposure.
Millions of Brits worry about air pollution daily thanks to concerns about the damage it is doing to their health and the environment, it was revealed last year.
Air pollution causes more than 500,000 premature deaths in Europe every year, according to fresh figures from the European Environment Agency.
Earlier this month we told how burnt toast can expose people to more pollution than if they were standing at a busy road junction, a study has claimed.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found burnt toast was especially harmful and the safest way was to “go for gold” – allowing the bread to turn a light gold colour.
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