The clean air technology has been sitting unused for over a month, with no confirmed appointment for the council to come turn it on.

A clean air technology system installed at an Islington nursery back in September remains unused, as the council has yet to turn the system on.

The Bennett Court Playgroup nursery, is in a particularly high-risk area for air pollution, with two of London’s most polluting roads (Seven Sisters Road and Holloway Road) a block away.

Indeed, monitoring of the playgroup air quality revealed that children at the playgroup were being exposed to pollution above the legal limit.

In response to this alarming discovery, Helena Farstad, co-founder of Islington Clean Air Parents and Bennett Court management committee treasure, teamed up with green technology company Evergen and the ride-hailing app Gett.

Evergen is the manufacturer of the air purifies and put up the costs for the install and maintenance. The machines themselves were paid for by a crowd-funding campaign launched by Gett.

Riders on the taxi app could opt to pay 20p to fund the clean air project for their local school.

Bennett Court playgroup
The Bennett Court Playgroup nursery, is in a particularly high-risk area for air pollution, with two of London’s most polluting roads.

The system was successfully installed on 19 September, but after it became clear that an extension cord would be needed to turn it on, the playgroup staff contacted their local council, who owns the property.

Islington Council made an appointment for an electrician to visit the property on 4 October, but didn’t turn up.

The clean air technology has been sitting unused for over a month, with no confirmed appointment for the council to come turn it on.

Islington Council refused to be interviewed for this story, saying, in a statement, “I’m afraid that we don’t have the resources to help get information or responses to new enquiries.”

Farstad, whose child also attends Bennett Court is anxious for the equipment to be turned on.

“Indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air quality. Providing these young children with several hours of clean air, whilst at playgroup, is the least we can do.”

“I cannot wait to turn the ‘On’ button on,” she said. “Clean air cannot come fast enough for these kids.”