CONCERN has been growing about the impact of air pollution, especially on the young.

Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, is calling on the government to take robust action to protect children from the harmful effects of air pollution.

Mr Dunne met the Clean Air Parents’ Network in the House of Commons, who are calling for a comprehensive air quality audit of schools, nurseries and playgrounds, as well as traffic exclusion zones to help limit children’s exposure to air pollution.

The campaign also supports more walking and cycling to and from school.

“Despite recent progress in cutting pollution, air pollution can still be a significant health risk, particularly for children,” said Mr Dunne.

“It is vital the government take robust action to protect children from air pollution, in particular in areas of poor air quality, and I hope they will consider carefully what further steps can be taken to ensure air quality improves around schools, playgrounds and nurseries.”

The group that is calling for 20mph speed limit restrictions in built up areas has argued that this could help to reduce the amount of pollution produced by petrol and diesel powered cars.

Ludlow Town Council has accepted the idea of a 20mph speed limit throughout the town following a campaign led by the ‘Twenty is Plenty’ group.

Campaigners say that the reduction in speeds in towns and built up areas to 20mph would not add any significant time to how long journeys take.