RESIDENTS and businesses across Wirral are urged to pledge their support for a new campaign tackling air pollution.

The organisers of Clean Air Day, being launched tomorrow, are working alongside schools, taxi drivers and community groups to spread the word about how we can all make a difference to air quality in Wirral by making small changes to make the air healthier for everyone.

Among suggestions for helping the environment are ditching the car in favour of walking or cycling to school.

If you need to drive, you could consider car sharing for the commute to and from work or turning off the engine when parked up, loading or waiting at the roadside to reduce damaging emissions and save money.

Restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idle. In fact, idling for just 10 seconds wastes more fuel than restarting the engine.

Councillor Elizabeth Grey, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "With Wirral a key player in Liverpool City Region's Year of Environment during 2019, the Clean Air campaign is paramount to helping us lead the way in making changes to our environment for the better.

"There are already some great projects taking place locally, with children and schools being some of our biggest Clean Air Champions.

"But we all need to play our part in reducing air pollution by making changes to how we travel.

"If you're from a school, business, or community group, we'd love to hear from you, so please get in touch to work together on this urgent issue."

So far, the Clean Air campaign has teamed up with Portland Primary and Brackenwood Infant School, providing materials and toolkits to help them support the campaign – including a handbook of tips for reducing traffic around the schools.

Portland Primary is one of Wirral's eco schools and was the first in the borough to ban plastic straws/milk cartons.

The school has also planted hedgerows in a bid to tackle poor air quality.

Air pollution is the top environmental risk to human health in the UK and the fourth greatest threat to public health after cancer, heart disease and obesity. It worsens illnesses such as asthma and is also associated with dementia, low birth weight, and diabetes. It is estimated that 28,000 to 36,000 deaths each year are attributed to human-made air pollution in the UK.

Young children are particularly at risk from lifelong health effects like asthma as a result of exposure to air pollution.

Sources of outdoor air pollution include transport and the fuels used for transport, particularly road vehicles but also trains, shipping and aircraft.

Everyone has a role to play in the commitment to cleaner air for all. #Bethekey and help to make the change today.