07 July 2023
The air quality at two local schools, and their surrounding main walking routes, has been measured
this week as part of the Government of Jersey’s expanded monitoring programme.
Representatives from Ricardo, a strategic environmental and engineering consulting company,
have been in the Island using mobile equipment to take samples on walking routes around Rouge
Bouillon and Beaulieu schools, at both peak drop-off and collection times.
The findings, coupled with data from fixed monitoring sites set up by the Government’s Natural
Environment team, will be compiled into a report later this summer.
Minister for the Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, said: “I’m committed to ensuring we gather
and publish more air quality data, giving Islanders a better understanding of the areas in which
they live, visit or simply pass through.
“School locations will naturally be a key focus for our increased monitoring programme, as children
can be particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Of course, we’re not just collecting data
for information purposes, only once we have identified areas with particularly poor quality will we
be able to concentrate resources and action in the right parts of the Island.”
Samples were taken on walking routes around Rouge Bouillon on Monday 3 July and Tuesday 4
July, 7.30-9.30am and 1.30-3.30pm, and on Beaulieu routes on Wednesday 5 July and Thursday 6
July, 7.30-9.30am and 1.30-3.30pm.
Further monitoring will be carried out at Elizabeth Street next to St Luke’s School to determine
whether there is a marked improvement in air quality as a result of the current School Street
scheme.
gov.je