‘Green wall’ to help save pupils from traffic pollution
16 NEWS
www.southwarknews.co.uk/news
Southwark News, Thursday February 8 2018
EAST DULWICH
Children ‘will be breathing cleaner air straightaway’ By Katherine Johnston
katherine@southwarknews.co.uk
The wall of pre-grown ivy will create a barrier between road pollution and the school’s playground. Its ivy leaves collect pollutants which are then washed away by rainfall. As the ivy continues to grow, so too does the amount of dangerous pollution it can capture. The school, which is set on the busy main road Grove Vale, hopes the screen will protect its pupil’s health and become a haven for birds, bees and other wildlife. According to scientists at Lancaster University, installing green screens can reduce street-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by as much as 40 per cent, and up to 60 per cent for particulate matter. These dangerous pollutants can cause asthma and lung disease. Although the EU legal limit for nitrogen dioxide is 40 micrograms per cubic metre, research by London Mayor's office shows that many schools are in locations which exceed this level. Parents and teachers at Goose Green School were delighted to hear that Sadiq Khan has donated £11,794 from the Greener City Fund towards the project. Simon Wattam, head teacher, said: “Every child at Goose Green will be
Photos: www.videotapas.com
GOOSE GREEN Primary School in East Dulwich is putting up a new ‘green screen’ made from ivy to protect children from harmful traffic fumes.
breathing cleaner, safer air straight away and the Green Screen will benefit the local community with its aesthetic, environmental and air cleansing properties. It’s also a fantastic educational tool for teachers and parents. A living testament to the remarkable power of nature.” Other sponsors include the Dulwich Society, Winkworth estate agents, Suzanne James Catering Ltd and
Lightbox London Limited. Dulwich and West Norwood MP Helen Hayes wrote to Sadiq Khan requesting his support for the initiative. She said: “I believe that this project has the potential not only to make a difference to air quality in the vicinity of the school, but to act as an example of good practice to other local schools which also suffer from high levels of pollution.”
Youngsters from Goose Green (top); and an ivy screen from the Crossrail scheme
now. The prestigious awards are free to enter and are open to all types and sizes of enterprise. Southwark is now looking for nominations. There are a number of awards categories, including the premier award, Southwark Business of the Year. The highlight of the scheme, a glittering, black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony for 400 people on June 21, will be hosted by a celebrity compere. The new awards, backed by headline partner Lewisham Southwark College, and awards partners Southwark Chamber of Commerce, Southwark
Council, and White Label Creative, is sponsored by some of borough’s leading businesses, including British Land, Grosvenor, and Sellar. The programme is also supported by The Shangri-La Hotel, Jensen’s Gin and media partner Southwark News. Looking forward to the launch event, Richard Kalmar, Chair of Southwark Chamber said: “The launch of the Southwark Business Excellence Awards at The Shard offers businesses in the borough a unique opportunity to showcase their achievements. Our rich and diverse business community and intensive regeneration programme has made Southwark synonymous with
growth and development. These Awards will promote the area’s many business success stories, highlight the entrepreneurs who bring prosperity here and market Southwark as a world class place to do business.” Carole Kitching, Principal of headline partner Lewisham Southwark College, commented: “As one of the top performing colleges in London we are delighted to be sponsoring the recognition of excellence in businesses across Southwark. We work with many individuals and businesses within Southwark, and we’re excited to meet and celebrate with the nominees and winners.”
First Southwark business awards launched By Chiara Giordano
chiara@southwarknews.co.uk
THE FIRST Southwark Business Awards were due to be launched on Wednesday night, at a luxury reception at The Shard’s ShangriLa Hotel, with the News supporting the event as media partner. Despite being home to 18,000 businesses, including major international companies, world class entertainment and arts venues as well as some of the best eating establishments in the city the borough has not had a business awards until
Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Regeneration, at Southwark Council, added: “Southwark Council values the hugely important role that businesses play in our borough, stimulating our economy and generating jobs and opportunities for local people. We are pleased to support these awards, which will recognise and applaud some of our shining stars, and I am looking forward to meeting lots of successful Southwark businesses at the launch event, which will get the new awards programme underway.” To find out more, go to: www.southwarkawards.co.uk