The Leader's blog

We all have a role to play in the clean air campaign

Cleaning up the air we breathe is one of the major challenges we face in Trafford and the wider region. The responses we had to the conversation about the issue earlier in the summer shows residents and businesses want to do something about the problem.

However, the government needs to play its part. That’s one of the reasons, as Green City-Region Lead for Greater Manchester Combined Authority, I will be continuing to urge ministers to come up with the finance to help local businesses to upgrade polluting vehicles, so we can clean up our streets as soon as possible.

I also recognise we can all do our bit to help improve the environment so I was impressed to see so many Trafford school children taking part in a poster competition to highlight the health risk posed by ‘engine idling’ – when parents leave car engines running while waiting at the school gates.

By turning off engines while waiting to pick up their children parents can make the air cleaner and save cash and congratulations to Lottie Luccock from Moorlands Junior School in Sale who won the competition.

Elsewhere children and parents alike gave the thumbs up to our Play Street pilot in Stretford. This involves a local road being closed to traffic during a certain period allowing youngsters to play safely outside. I know how popular it proved and we are looking to organise other similar ones in the future.

Hosting major events is a great way of showcasing everything Trafford has to offer nationally and internationally. And In between all the recent rain we’ve had some memorable moments so far this summer with more to come.

The Cricket World Cup provided a nail biting finale with England managing to win by the narrowest of margins. Trafford also played its part with six matches held at Lancashire Cricket Club and these attracted packed crowds and millions across the globe followed the action on television.

Trafford Live which we run in partnership with the cricket club was also a fantastic success and I would like to thank everyone who volunteered on the day from the Council, all our partners who participated and the thousands who came along.

The sporting action continues with the T20 cricket taking place on a regular basis during the next few weeks before international action returns with England taking on Australia in the Ashes test series, all at Old Trafford.  

We round off the summer with another international sporting event, cycling’s Tour of Britain and I am sure many of you will be lining the streets on the final stage of the race which starts in Altrincham in September.

Thanks Andrew