Air pollution – local councils are to solve the problems
From yesterday's the Independent newspaper, 'Government’s 'inadequate' air pollution strategy fails to tackle car and lorry emissions'Air pollution in Brentford exceeds legal limits on an almost continuous basis:https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Pm56n7vrZ675k1H-J68dVhXyTbEAir pollution causes around 40,000 early deaths every year in Britain, according to the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.Radio 4 yesterday noted that the onus to tackle the problem is firmly in the arena of Local Councils, which have the following legislation that they should be applying:The Environment Act 1995, which requires local authorities to monitor air pollution against national targets and to take action where it is found that these targets are unlikely to be met. (note the TAKE ACTION part of that, which I've capitalised)Carry out roadside vehicle emissions checks in AQMAs and issue fixed fines to drivers whose vehicles do not comply with emissions limits.Make Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to regulate traffic. For example, a local authority can impose a TRO to restrict the amount and type of traffic in busy areas. The Clean Air Act 1993, which gives local authorities the powers to control and deal with dark smoke and harmful fumes.So, the questions are:Air pollution in Brentford is killing local citizens and the Council have been empowered to control and prevent it. What are they doing??? Incidentally, I worked out the air pollution here is equivalent to us all smoking a pack of fags a day, children etc included.Why are there no roadside vehicle emission checks? We all see cars, vans, lorries and buses that are clearly exceeding the emissions requirements belching out their black smoke as they drive through Brentford, along the A4 or over the M4. Curtailing these offenders is low hanging fruit that will have a significant effect of the air we breathe. The council can’t claim insufficient funds as they have a surplus equivalent to a years council tax from all of us sitting in their bank account. Applying fines also means it could be more profitable than that high revenue speed camera they've stuck on the north circular. The only insufficient things appear to be brain power, willpower and back-bone.Regulate traffic. Well, there’s a toxic sewer of pollution running right through the centre of our town. And again, the solution appears to be sitting there, backed up by legislation and just waiting to be used.And the stick that can be applied to force our Local Council to do the right thing:Legislation, maladministration, taking them to court. The fiasco with hopelessly inappropriate building developments led me to investigate and instigate the initial stage of maladministration. Interesting reaction, from which I’ve learned the behaviour patterns.
Lorne Gifford ● 2643d13 Comments