The Air Care Journeys project is a new Defra-funded project working with all age groups at different educational settings in Bedford Borough which fall within our Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).   

Air monitoring in this area recently recorded air quality readings over the England Air Quality Objectives set by Defra, which has led to the creation of Bedford’s AQMA.

You can see a map of our AQMA here.

Our aim is to reduce transport related emissions. To do this we will work with schools, nurseries and the university to increase knowledge around air pollution and its impacts, and to encourage young people and parents to choose a more sustainable means of transport to the car such as walking, scooting or cycling rather than use the car.

We are committed to ensuring the families, staff and pupils who travel to educational sites within these areas aren’t exposed to high levels of nitrogen dioxide, especially around the school gate where the problem is exacerbated by idling vehicles.

Email AirCareJourneys@bedford.gov.uk for more information on the Air Care Journeys project in Bedford Borough.

What Bedford Borough Council is already doing

• Established a long standing partnership with Sustrans: working with businesses, schools and railways station users to enable them to travel more actively.
• Made improvements to the walking and cycling network and signage.
• Created more secure cycle parking.
• Council staff using e-Cargo bikes to reduce car mileage while transporting goods around the borough.
• Offering Bikeability (cycle training) for free to our school children.
• Using air quality monitors in AQMA monitoring the air quality.
• Developed an Air Quality Action Plan to co-ordinate actions across council teams.

Why air pollution matters

• Air pollution affects us from our first breath to our last. The damage to our health can start when we’re babies and carry on into old age.
• Linked to low birth weight and can lead to premature birth and pregnancy loss.
• Can affect children’s lung development during pregnancy and after birth.
• Causes heart and lung diseases and may even contribute to mental health issues.
• Potentially increases the risk of getting dementia.

What you can do to help reduce pollution

We are encouraging resident to be part of the solution not the pollution.

• Drive less - for shorter trips try to walk or cycle.
• Stop car idling (an idling vehicle is one that has its engine running without moving anywhere).
  • Idling car fumes are more harmful inside than outside a car.
  • Idling vehicles create as much, or even more, carbon emissions and air polluting emissions than moving vehicles.
  • It is illegal.
  • If you will be somewhere for more than 30 seconds – turn your engine off.
• At home, avoid using wood burning stoves and open fires(If it is essential, only burn dry, well-seasoned or ‘Ready-to-Burn’ labelled wood, or smokeless fuel). Avoid burning household and garden waste: take it to the tip instead.
• Talk to your friends and family about air pollution, just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not affecting us all.

Did you know?

In an experiment to test pollution levels, four people took the same journey using different modes of transport on a busy route and two people on a quieter route. 

1. Bike was quickest and exposed to 5 times less pollution than car driver
2. Walking exposed to 3.5 less pollution than the car driver
3. Bus exposed to 2.5 times less pollution than the car driver
4. Car: Pollution levels in the car were significantly higher than all other modes.

This is because fumes from vehicles in front and behind get trapped and cannot disperse in inside a vehicle. Being outside means the fumes disperse into the atmosphere and not into your lungs.