Around 267 people die in Waltham Forest each year from long term exposure to poor quality air, figures show.

The authority is now planning on training schoolchildren to become air quality ambassadors as part of its new action plan.

Ahead of Clean Air Day on June 21, the council’s cabinet approved its latest air quality action plan to improve the air quality across the borough.

The plan aims to manage the impact on air pollution of development in the borough, encourage more sustainable modes of transport and support residents to lead more active and healthier lifestyles.

It includes commitments to provide more electric vehicle charging points, the extension of the council’s zero-emissions delivery service and ensures all new developments meet air quality standards.

Cllr Clyde Loakes said: “Our residents have told us that air quality is important to them. Sadly we know that in Waltham Forest an estimated 267 people die every year because of long term exposure to poor air quality.

“We have worked hard to take steps to address this difficult problem, including working with our partners, residents and schools on various initiatives that improve air quality around them and making the borough’s streets safer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use, so that they can leave the car behind.”

Other preparations for Clean Air Day saw a total of 33 children and 12 teachers from ten schools in Waltham Forest took part in an afternoon of discussion, debate and training on Friday June 8.

The aim was to prepare the children to deliver lessons on air quality at their own schools.

The children visited the council chamber at Waltham Forest town hall, where they shared their views on how air quality could be improved with deputy council leader, Cllr Clyde Loakes.

Cllr Loakes said: “The children all brought their own ideas on how to improve air quality to the council chamber. They knew absolutely the things that they wanted to see.

“It was wonderful to discuss their ideas with them and hope they go back to their schools and inspire their peers, parents and teachers to take action to improve air quality for everyone.”

The children made personal pledges of how they will change their behaviour or try to influence others ahead of Clean Air Day and received a certificate for attending the session.

Waltham Forest Council’s action plan and its Enjoy Waltham Forest cycling scheme are working in tandem with the Mayor of London’s Healthy Streets scheme.

According to GLA research, more than a third of car journeys in London could be walked in 25 minutes, and nearly half of all journeys made in London could be cycled in 10 minutes.

Cllr Loakes added: “Changing the way we travel has a huge impact not only on the quality of air everyone breathes, but also makes a big difference to our own health and quality of life. Walking or cycling regularly instead of sitting in a car or on a bus can go a long way to tackling depression, heart disease and diabetes, it makes us healthier and fitter and saves the NHS a lot of money too.”

The authority are urging Sadiq Khan to go to extend the zone to boundaries of London and plan to monitor the impact of current proposals on Waltham Forest residents living north of the A406.

They plan to report any negative impacts directly to the Mayor’s team.