The views of people living in Barking and Dagenham are being sought as the council looks to improve the air quality in the east London borough. 

Earlier this week (Monday 5 October), the council launched its draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), which outlines the actions that it will take to make air quality better in Barking and Dagenham between 2020-2025.

However, to ensure that the actions meet the needs of people who live, work, attend school and visit Barking and Dagenham, the council wants to hear from these exact people through a short consultation.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “Air pollution is having a significant impact on the health of residents, commuters and people who visit Barking and Dagenham and that’s why now more than ever, we need to start to making changes.

“I would like to encourage all residents and people who travel to Barking and Dagenham to take part in the consultation and help us improve health outcomes by reducing pollution and by improving the air quality.”

Air pollution is associated to a number of health factors, such as heart disease and cancer.

The draft (AQAP) has been produced as part of the London Local Air Quality Management system and residents now have until Monday 30 November to complete the consultation survey.

The consultation has been released in line with Clean Air Day (Thursday 8 October) and Barking and Dagenham Council is encouraging residents to start walking and cycling more. This will not only improve air pollution but resident’s overall health.

The borough has a number of cycling routes in the borough, which can be found here.

For more information on Clean Air Day, head to www.cleanairday.org.uk/clean-air-day-live.