Congleton Town Council is encouraging people to join in World Car Free Day on Friday 22 September. The council hopes to raise awareness of the campaign taking part in towns and cities across the world. Motorists will be inspired to take a break from driving in a bid to make the town more environmentally friendly.
Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Rob Moreton said: “Giving up your vehicle for all or part of the day could prove quite a challenge and is not the most convenient way to get from A to B. But if we can all act together and do our bit by making small changes, such as biking and walking, car sharing or using public transport it will help to reduce congestion, clear up our air and create safer streets particularly around the town’s schools. Cleaning up our air is good for us in many ways, it not only benefits our physical health and the environment but can also protect our mental and brain health. Any reductions in air pollution that we make will lead to health improvements for our families and our local community.”
Volunteers headed by Barry Speed from the town council’s Green Working Group will be out and about on Friday 22 September measuring air quality outside three of the town’s schools. Mr Speed says: “Local streets often get congested during drop-off and pick up times and are hot spots for air pollution. We will be using specialist monitoring equipment to take the air quality readings. Look out for us outside Mossley and Daven Primary School and Eaton Bank Academy from 8am-9am and 3pm-4pm. We will also be handing out leaflets to raise awareness and offering practical advice to residents to take simple steps.”
If you miss the opportunity to talk with the volunteers on Friday, you can find them at the Congleton Green Fayre on Saturday 30 September from 10am – 4pm. Congleton Air Quality will have a stall on the closed Hight Street in the town centre. There will be something for everyone at the fayre organised by Congleton Town Council and Congleton Partnership. The closed High Street will showcase more than 30 local groups, organisations and businesses who are carrying out projects to help protect nature and our environment. Have a hug with the ‘Hedgemen’ who will make 30-minute appearances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Be entertained and join in with circus skills – with no electric gadgets! Discover more about electric cars and electric bikes. Inside the Town Hall find the Congleton Repair Café, a book swap, and The Big Clothes Movement – for £2 you can fill a bag with pre-loved clothes. Congleton Lions will be collecting some of the hard-to-recycle products on their stall and North West Ambulance Service will be joining them to carry out free heart defibrillator awareness sessions.
For more information on how to get involved in Car Free Day visit: www.livingstreets.org.uk and www.carfreemetrodc.org
