Romford, and by extension the Borough of Havering, has been successful in this year's award of the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs's (Defra) Air Quality Grant Scheme. This year's scheme awarded a total of £10.7 million in grants. 

In the annex, which can be viewed below, it is stated that Havering has collectively been awarded £100,266 to be spent on public engagement, healthcare, and schools' engagement. 

This will include the following: 

"School workshop and theatre engagement programme to improve knowledge and awareness about air quality, develop clean air route maps, and reduce emissions particularly from idling. Training of teachers to deliver cycling lessons to pupils.  Engagement with local businesses to analyse and improve commuter behaviour and develop information that could inform future interventions to improve air quality."

"Guided cycle and walking routes for schools to encourage active travel and reduce children’s exposure to pollution when travelling to and from school.  Development of a travel plan for the local hospital to reduce NO2 emissions from staff and patient travel."

It takes small, individualistic lifestyle changes to ensure that our borough is cleaner - the expansion of the U.L.E.Z. is not the answer!