Funding awarded for green screens to improve air quality

What are green screens?

Green screens are large screens covered in plants – usually ivy – that are typically attached to fencing outside a school to form a ‘wall’ or barrier that helps to absorb dangerous air pollutants from nearby road vehicles.

Children and air pollution

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because their lungs breathe in more air per minute than adult lungs. This makes them more prone to developing respiratory conditions like asthma. Studies have shown that green screens can help reduce nitrogen dioxide levels by up to 35%.

Successful schools

Deptford Park Primary in Evelyn Street, Haseltine Primary in Sydenham and St James Hatcham Primary in New Cross were among 50 primary schools audited by the Mayor of London that were found to be exceeding air pollution limits.

Each of the schools were given £10,000 by Transport for London (TfL) towards the cost of their green screens, which was matched by £10,000 from Lewisham Council.

Reducing exposure to pollution

Councillor Sophie McGeevor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (job share), said, ‘Air pollution is a public health emergency throughout London. In Lewisham, we want to drastically reduce the adverse health impacts that poor air quality has on our most vulnerable residents, particularly young children that attend schools near busy roads or junctions.

‘We need to tackle the principal cause of pollution in Lewisham which is road traffic, but we also need to do everything we can to reduce exposure to pollution. Green screens have been shown to be effective barriers to pollution in playgrounds. We’re really pleased to see funding awarded for green screens at three of our primary schools.’