A NEW initiative has been launched to monitor and improve air quality in East Renfrewshire.

It comes after the local authority revealed their new project aimed at improving air quality, parking congestion, and safety at school gates.

The initiative was launched at Braidbar Primary School on Friday, November 17, at an air quality school assembly with a competition to design an air quality banner for use around the school.

Staff and pupils at the school have already been working closely with the parent council to improve road safety.

The new project has been funded by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.

It will also support the council's Environmental Health team to raise the profile of anti-vehicle idling patrols carried out around school gates.

On top of that, to support the launch two Community Safety Officers will patrol around different school gates for 10 hours a week and a waterproof digital display screen will showcase a rotation of air quality and road safety messages.

Meanwhile, the use of new digital signs, school banners, and targeted messaging seeks to prevent engine idling, promote safer parking, and encourage active travel.

The initiative will be rolled out to all schools in the area with an air monitor used to check air quality at school gates.

Councillor Danny Devlin, Convener for Environment and Housing, said: “This multi-partnership approach is a great way to address air quality, road safety and parking issues which are a daily concern at schools across the area.

"Poor air quality can significantly affect our health and wellbeing, so it’s great to see Braidbar Primary getting on board with the campaign launch.

"It’s vital that we all make positive changes, so I’d encourage you to switch your car engine off when stopping near schools, be mindful of others on your commute, and think about travelling to school more actively when you can.”