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08
Feb 2022
Starbeck schoolchildren highlight air pollution dangers of idle engines
Children from Starbeck Primary Academy were at Starbeck level crossing this morning armed with placards asking motorists to turn their engines off.
An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion, with air pollution known to harm children's growing lungs.
At Starbeck crossing, the barriers are activated several times an hour to let trains pass. With queues of traffic on both sides of the crossing a regular sight, it is a notorious air pollution hotspot.
Today's campaign was organised by the school and Starbeck Residents Association.
Darren Leeming, who has two children at the school and is on the SRA committee said "there are no excuses" for motorists not to turn their engines off whilst they waited.
He said:
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Starbeck Primary Academy is on Starbeck High Street and bears the brunt of the air pollution from waiting cars and vehicles.
Its headteacher, Gary de Castro-Morland, said 99% of its children walk to school so he hopes motorists can turn their engines off to help protect their health.
He said:
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