Harrogate Bus Company is to plant more trees in Harrogate as part of its commitment to cutting carbon emissions.
The company introduced fume-free buses in 2018 after it won £2.25 million of government funding.
Last year it pledged to plant one tree for every 10,000 miles covered by its fleet of eight electric buses.
To celebrate Clean Air Day tomorrow, the company has announced its buses have together covered over 400,000 miles.
It has already planted an oak tree on West Park and has now revealed another 39 trees will be planted in three areas served by the buses – Nidd Gorge, close to Bilton, Jennyfield and in the pine woods near Pannal Ash.
Alex Hornby, chief executive of Harrogate Bus Company, said:
“Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK so our Harrogate Electrics buses play a vitally important role in clearing the air and protecting our local environment.
“Alongside our electric buses, trees help by absorbing even more carbon dioxide emissions.”
Clean Air Day is normally held in June but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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The local campaign group, Zero Carbon Harrogate, welcomed the news. Chair Jemima Parker said:
“We are dedicated to making Harrogate a zero-carbon community by 2030 to secure a sustainable future, and The Harrogate Bus Company’s electric buses are making a vitally important contribution towards realising that ambition.
“As we begin rebuilding our local economy beyond the pandemic, we can’t just go back to congested streets and traffic jams.”
