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Travel On The Isle Of Wight's Sustainable Transport This Clean Air Day

This Thursday (17) is 'Clean Air Day' and Islanders are being encouraged to travel by sustainable transport.

Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK. 

The World Health Organisation and the UK Government have said air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.

Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues. 

Clean Air Day is the UK's largest air pollution campaign, engaging thousands of people at hundreds of events, and reaching millions more through the media. 

Andrew Wickham, Southern Vectis managing director said:

“We are committed to helping improve the quality of air we breathe on the island, and we have been working on this in a number of ways over recent years.

“Buses have the potential to take many cars off the road - even with current on-board social distancing measures in place. 

“Even though so called ‘Freedom Day’ has been postponed, there are still plenty of reasons for people to travel across the Isle of Wight. Offices, shops, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions are all open for business, and we are seeing an increasing number of passengers on board our buses. 

“Bus travel has changed beyond recognition over recent years, and those who haven’t travelled with us recently will be amazed at the enhancements we’ve made. 

“The new buses we have invested in during recent years have more comfortable seating, USB charging points for smartphone and tablet users, accept mobile phone payments, as well as contactless and they sport the very latest Euro 6 low emissions engines.

“If more people choose to leave their cars at home and travel with us instead - on Clean Air Day and moving forwards - we could make a real impact in helping to improve the air quality across the Isle of Wight.”

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