A South Woodford mum’s environmental campaign has attracted the Mayor of London.

Sadiq Khan visited Elmhurst Gardens in Woodford on July 29 to view the new air quality monitor secured by local campaigner Lydia Fraser-Ward.

The device was put in place in March to monitor levels of pollution at the playground after the mum of three-year-old Ripley pushed for the monitor.

When the mayor visited along with deputy leader Cllr Kam Rai, local councillors and pupils from Churchfields Primary school, Lydia said “this is just the start”.

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Explaining the story behind the campaign, she added: "I spent a lot of time in Elmhurst Gardens with my three-year-old son Ripley during the lockdowns, and as we're so close to the North Circular, I was worried about air pollution and how it might be affecting his health.

“So I set up a branch of Mums for Lungs in Redbridge and met many other local parents who were also concerned about air pollution in our area.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: A picture showing the monitor in MarchA picture showing the monitor in March

The Mums for Lungs movement will continue with more work to raise awareness about the risks of air pollution and to encourage more people to do their bit in helping the environment.

She said: “This could be either through reducing non-essential car journeys, car-pooling to school or walking, cycling or taking public transport to work where they can. It all makes a difference and helps to improve the health of everyone in our borough."

Redbridge Council has also installed different air quality monitors in in Elmhurst Gardens, Gardner Close and Ley Street and says it is committed to rolling our air monitors across the borough.

Cllr Rai said: "We want local children to have the best possible start in life. That's why we've committed to tackling air pollution so they can breathe clean air and develop healthy lungs.

“As well as installing air pollution monitors, we're creating clean air zones around schools, making it easier to cycle locally and installing electric vehicle charging points to reduce reliance on petrol cars.

“There is more to do, but we're working hard with local people like Lydia to make our borough cleaner and greener to benefit local families now and for future generations."