Residents are being asked to help make Wirral’s air cleaner than ever.
A survey launched today, 4 September, asks locals to help set the vision for cleaner air in Wirral. Responses to the survey will help shape an Air Quality Strategy for the borough.
While Wirral has not previously been required to have a strategy in place, earlier this year, central government directed all local authorities to produce an Air Quality Strategy by the end of 2023, regardless of whether they have identified high pollution levels.
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of Wirral’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said, “Air pollution affects people’s health throughout their lives. We can all feel the effects of poor air quality – although our more vulnerable residents may be impacted more severely.
“Poor air quality particularly affects people living in more densely populated and polluted areas, which are often areas of higher deprivation. This can, in turn, widen existing health inequalities.
“I would encourage everybody who cares about the air we breathe in our borough to spare a few minutes and complete this short survey.
“Sharing your views and opinions will help the Council shape an air quality strategy that reflects the issues which are closest to residents’ hearts and that could improve the health and wellbeing of our entire population.”
Those who live or work in Wirral are welcome to respond to the survey, which will be open from 4 September to 2 October. All answers to the survey will help identify the actions that are most important to residents.
To access the air quality survey, please click here: https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/air-quality-strategy 
Alongside this piece of work, there is also a survey on domestic burning, running 4 September to 18 September. This consultation hopes to gather opinions and attitudes of residents on air pollution caused by indoor and outdoor burning including the use of log burners or stoves, barbeques or bonfires.
This project is funded by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). For more information or to access the survey click here: https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/domestic-burning
Image: Benjamin Davies
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Twitter, and Threads? You can also send story ideas or letters to the editor to news@birkenhead.news