Arches Local led on a scheme supported by Cool Towns Project, Luton and Wayfield ward councillors, Tracey Crouch MP, University of Greenwich and New Build Landscapes who during February 2020 half term together with Arches Local staff and Luton Junior school teachers installed the ivy-clad wall (free of charge) at the front of the school, repurposing living green hoardings that had been used previously at construction sites.
These Ivy Clad hoardings can help reduce street level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by as much as 40% and dust particles by up to 60%. They will also increase the biodiversity of that area by encouraging nesting birds, butterflies and pollinating insects. Air Pollution is a problem nationally with recent reports from Public Health England (March 2019) citing that it is the biggest environmental threat to health in the UK, with between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year attributed to long-term exposure.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/school-gets-green-wall-to-breathe-easier-223091/
Stephen Perez, from Arches Local, said: “Arches Local would like to thank all those who have helped deliver this green wall to the school and hope that the successful demonstration of community-led action supported by local organisations with cross-party political support will help lead to further urban greening projects at the school being realised.”