Highland council is to review air quality standards around its schools – and will undertake a pilot project on air quality improvement at a local school yet to be decided.
Councillors will submit suggestions for council officers to decide on the most appropriate school for the pilot.
At yesterday’s care, learning and housing committee meeting, Dingwall councillor Angela Maclean argued for Dingwall Primary School, detailing the efforts the school community has been making to stop cars idling outside the school at the end of the day.
She also suggested the £20 fine for this behaviour should be enforced.
Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie said there was a massive issue at Millburn Academy, with traffic building to dangerous levels around the school, while Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie said school transport should be rationalised to reduce the carbon footprint.
The council’s environmental health team will further promote awareness of measures that can be taken by the public and businesses to improve air quality and, where resources permit, undertake projects aimed at reducing idling vehicles at schools.
Councillor John Finlayson, chairman of the care, learning and housing committee said “There is a clear link to our climate change team on this work which will link in directly with the council’s climate change declaration.
“The project will help inform how we move forward with changing habits, and educating people on how to reduce pollution around our schools.”