Clearing the air together in Guildford

• Saturday 7 September was International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. It's a day that raises awareness of the threat of air pollution and the negative impact on our communities. It also inspires people to take action.

In Guildford we're hosting our first-ever Cleaner Air Day on Sunday 29 September. Hosted in the town centre, it's a free family fun day to celebrate and learn ways we can all help improve air quality.

How you can help keep our air clean

•    Instead of taking the car out, use an active means of transport such as walking or cycling.
  

•    If you do need to drive, don't leave the engine running when you're parked up. It's bad for the environment and human health.
  

•    For longer journeys, take the bus or train rather than driving.
  

•    Switch off lights and electronics when not using them. Use appliances with high energy-efficiency ratings in your home.
  

•    Use wood burners and stoves in moderation as they contribute to air pollution. Only use smokeless fuel or dry, seasoned wood.
  

On Cleaner Air Day in Guildford, we're encouraging motorists to leave the car at home and try other forms of travel. This includes:

•    Walking
  

•    Cycling
  

•    Public transport
  

From 11am to 4pm the town centre will be full of eye-catching stalls, a play zone for children and there'll be fantastic live music to enjoy.

Free activities on the day

At Cleaner Air Day you'll get the chance to:

•    Learn about what you can do to tackle air pollution
  

•    Try out e-bikes
  

•    Cycle your own smoothie on a smoothie bike
  

•    Speak to Action Surrey about ways to make your home more eco
  

•    Find out more about local wildlife and biodiversity
  

•    Get a bike health check with Dr. Bike
  

•    Browse a variety market stalls selling sustainable goods
  

Lead Councillor for Regulatory Services, Cllr Merel Rehorst-Smith said: "We're committed to making Guildford's air cleaner and empowering our residents to be part of that transformation. Cleaner Air Day is a great opportunity for everyone to learn how we can make a difference and the role we play in making our air safer for all. I hope as many people as possible come along, enjoy the activities on offer and find out more about the part we all play in tackling the climate emergency."

Lead Councillor for Commercial Services, Cllr Catherine Houston added: "In Guildford we're committed to becoming net zero by 2030 and it's important we all work together to make that happen. Cleaner Air Day is going to be a fun and informative event that will help us all to understand the ways we can make Guildford greener. So leave the car at home, walk, cycle or hop on the bus and enjoy a great day out with all the family!"