RESIDENTS have been urged to ditch cars and walk, cycle or use public transport in a bid to promote better air quality in Southend.

The call has come from the Southend Council as part of a national initiative aiming to celebrate Clean Air Day on June 20 through encouraging daily routine changes.

This comes as startling figures related to air pollution in the city have been revealed.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities data showed a rise in air pollution-related deaths in Southend.

In 2022, air pollution was responsible for 6.6 per cent of the deaths of people over the age of 30.

This saw an increase from 5.8 per cent the previous year, albeit still below the pre-pandemic level of 7.4 per cent.

The new figures were identical in Basildon too.

Southend Council say this year’s campaign will encourage everyone to consider how they can change the journeys they take and to use less polluting modes of transport like walking, cycling or use public transport.

Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health, said: “I encourage as many people as possible to submit their pledges for Clean Air Day and take those pledges forward.

“It is important we take air pollution seriously for the health and wellbeing of residents, and I’m sure, with enough of us working together, we can make a real difference to our air quality.”

Clean Air Day 2024 will not just be a one-day affair. The council has organised a series of events throughout the week to engage with different sections of the community.

The community involvement includes collaborations with the Youth council and COPD community connectors, who have already held engagement events.

Event participants shared how they enjoyed debating air quality and plan to submit their own pledges, which were particularly interesting due to the wide age range of debate participants.

Schools in the area are also embracing the cause, to stimulate these critical conversations among pupils. Students are encouraged to pledge their support while being educated about the issue.

As a part of this endeavour, ten schools have installed air quality monitoring equipment to collect local pollution data and contemplate interventions.

This initiative, the Clean Air Schools Project, is currently in its second year, funded by an external grant secured by the council.

Residents seeking help can find a range of resources online, which provide steps to make school, workplace, or home more air-friendly.