Most teachers want cars barred from the school run to save children from inhaling dangerous levels of air pollution, a study shows.
It found 63% would back the ban and nearly half were concerned about car engines idling outside school gates.
One in three teachers worry about toxic fumes, linked to a rise in asthma, and more than half want urgent Government action to improve schools’ air quality.
Transport charity Sustrans survey also found 34% of teachers believed people should be encouraged to walk, cycle and scoot to school and 26% called for roads to be closed.
Nearly half of Brits are using twice as much water than they need to on laundry
Experts say kids are particularly at risk from air pollution because as they absorb and retain toxins for longer.
Sustrans findings come after the Daily Mirror revealed hundreds of head teachers are piloting a ban on cars at the school gates — backed by £50 fines and fixed penalties leading to points on licences.
Earlier this month Public Health England estimated long-term exposure to air pollution in the UK causes between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year.
Sustrans’ Xavier Brice said: “For too long now, dangerous levels of air pollution near schools have been ignored. Finally, this is starting to change.
“Our survey makes it clear that teachers want urgent action to clean up toxic fumes.”
