IN celebration of Clean Air Day children from primary schools in Cumbria are being invited to enter a competition to design a ‘Safe Parking Pledge’.

Research shows that congestion at the school gates is one of the most common causes of air pollution and yet it is often avoidable by parents choosing more appropriate drop off and pick up locations when arriving and departing from school. 

It is hoped the competition will help children encourage their parents to consider safer and more environmentally friendly parking choices.

Active Travel @ Active Cumbria – part of Cumbria County Council’s Public Health Team has launched the competition asking children to design a bespoke ‘Safe Parking Pledge’.  Winning designs will be printed into pledge notices and schools provided with supplies to issue to parents and carers. 

Active Cumbria Active Travel Officer Mandy Bailey said: “We really want parents to sit up and take notice of the effects of congestion at the school gates – in fact it is one of the most common problems that schools talk to us about and would like support with.

"We wanted to help schools reach parents with a very practical and tangible solution towards encouraging a behavioural change towards arriving and parking at school. What better way than for the children to reach parents directly with something they have designed themselves.”

Clean Air Day, which takes place on Thursday, June 16 is the UK's largest air pollution campaign, bringing together communities, businesses, schools and the health sector.  The campaign is backed by Action for Clean Air.