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Pupils of 50 Wandsworth schools suffer health risk due to traffic-related pollution

'Clean Air in London' (CAL) published a report this week showing that 1148 schools in London are within 150m of heavily trafficked roads. New scientific research indicates that children exposed to higher levels of traffic-related air pollution at school and home are at increased risk of developing asthma.Scientists say living near roads travelled by 10,000 or more vehicles per day could be responsible for some 15-30 per cent of all new cases of asthma in children; and of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and CHD (coronary heart disease) in adults 65 years of age and older.Simon Birkett, director of CAL, said: "The government and mayor Johnson must tackle an invisible public health crisis harming as many people now as the Great Smog did in December 1952. We need one or more additional inner low emission zones that ban the oldest diesel vehicles from our most polluted roads, and a massive campaign to build public understanding of the dangers of air pollution with advice on how people can protect themselves."In Wandsworth, whilst the main trunk roads are managed by TFL, the council also has a responsibility with regards to the road network that it manages. As the council starts to play a greater role in local health budgets, the burden of health impacts from air pollution on local residents will be a extra financial drain on the council. Jon Irwin, co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum, said: "Our 20mph campaign if implemented would result in less hard braking and acceleration which is known to reduce emissions. It would also encourage more people to walk or cycle for short journeys, which clearly would reduce emissions. This is why we are calling on the council to support the campaign for 20mph limits on our residential and local shopping streets."Sign the e-petition here: http://bit.ly/iqVoBg Paper versions of the petition are also available - please contact the WEF co-chairsLinks / More info:Clean Air in London -http://www.cleanairinlondon.org/blog/_archives/2011/6/21/4842298.htmlLondon Schools Air Quality report - from BBC articlehttp://downloads.bbc.co.uk/london/pdf/london_schools_air_quality.pdfIf you are interested in getting involved further and exploring other ways in which you can support the 20's Plenty for Wandsworth campaign please contact:Jon Irwin - Co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum -jon.irwin@gmail.com - 07748 150004 Frances Hagger - Co-chair of Wandsworth Environment Forum - fhagger@gmail.comPresentation of the petition to the council is planned for the October Wandsworth council meeting. Paper signatures are also being collected, forms are available from the Vice-chairs. National campaign link - http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk

Jon Irwin ● 5559d0 Comments ● 5559d

Calling All Volunteers! The Orangery, Gunnersbury Park this Saturday 12noon-4pm

ORANGE ROCKCORPS: Gunnersbury Park Project Saturday 25th June 2011, 12 noon – 4pmGunnersbury Park, The Orangery, W5 4NECalling All Volunteers!Gunnersbury Park is a beautiful 75 hectare (186 acres) landscape of exceptional mature trees, open grass spaces and historic buildingsregistered as Grade 2* by English Heritage with 21 separately listed buildings.Orange and RockCorps have come together to help you to give something back to the community. Take part in Orange RockCorps and help transform the Orangery in Gunnersbury Park. Big old buildings don't come better than this!If you are free on Saturday 25th June 2011 between 12 noon - 4pm and would like to help the Orange RockCorps team to renovate the Orangery by painting, washing, scrubbing, varnishing and just generally having a jolly good old time, then all you need to do is register as a volunteer online at:  http://www.orangerockcorps.co.uk/ or call 0800 954 7625.  After you give your 4 hours, you'll get given 1 ticket to see some great musical artists.RockCorps is a pro-social production company. RockCorps uses music to inspire people to volunteer and get involved in their community. To date, over 45,000 volunteers have attended more than 20 amazing live music events. This is an opportunity not to be missed out on!!  This park exudes history, beauty and culture and this project will see the transformation of a currently disused building into a beautiful space. We guarantee you won't be disappointed. So come down and join the Orange RockCorps team as we take a step back in time! Note:• Registering online is essential: Only confirmed volunteers get all the details and a reserved place on the project.• You must be at least 16 years of age to participate in an Orange RockCorps project.

Rishi Joshi ● 5561d0 Comments ● 5561d