On October 3rd Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited the Kale Street site of the Ardwick Green Route, created by Ardwick Climate Action in partnership with the local community and researchers from the Lydia Becker Institute at the University of Manchester.

The green route was launched on the 12th of March and helps local residents avoid excessive pollution caused by motor vehicles. The route is based on research conducted by Becker scientists on air pollution levels, barriers to active travel, and how to encourage walking in the area.   

The Becker’s Deputy Eco-immunology Branch Lead Professor Sheena Cruickshank met with the Mayor and said: “We were delighted to host Andy Burnham at the Kale Street site of the Ardwick Green Route to discuss our findings on air quality and the challenges for children’s health and safety.

The Mayor also visited Co-op Medlock Academy and listened to the children talk about air quality. He made some brilliant suggestions, which if enacted could transform accessibility for accessing the green route and encourage more active travel.”

Ardwick Climate Action is a campaign group formed to protect the local environment via grassroots advocacy that engages the local community. Their work encompasses the renewal of green spaces, monitoring pollution levels, and climate advocacy within Ardwick, which is one of the most deprived areas in Manchester.

You can read more about the green route and the benefits of community-focused research in a piece by Sheena published here.

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