Car fumes
Emissions from cars are a leading source of air pollution in urban areas. The council has a responsibility regarding air quality and there are monitors in key points in Folkestone and Hythe where traffic volumes are high, to record levels of nitrous oxide. A new monitor has just been installed in Scanlons Bridge Road, Hythe.
Idling
Leaving a car engine running when a vehicle is stationary is a waste of fuel and creates unnecessary pollution. Children at St Martin’s School, Cheriton have recently taken part in an ‘anti-idling’ poster competition. This was supported by Southeastern and the winning design will be displayed at local railway stations to remind drivers to turn off their engines whilst waiting for passengers.
Heavy goods vehicles
An average 7000 lorries travel along the M20 to and from mainland Europe every day. The diesel fumes that they emit are the biggest single cause of particulate pollution in our area. Shifting freight from road to rail makes good environmental sense and is promoted by local councillors and MPs. The council is currently making links to other groups and organisations to campaign for change.
Wood burners
Wood burners are a popular home heating choice but are significantly more polluting than low-carbon alternatives such as heat pumps. A wood burner produces approximately 5.36 tonnes of CO2 per year, whereas a heat pump emits only 0.7 tonnes per year, equivalent to seven times more carbon than a heat pump annually. Wood burners also emit particulate matter (PM), including PM2.5 and PM0.1.