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Domestic chimneys make the major contribution to atmospheric pollution
except where industry is concentrated and may be the cause of local concern. The
Clean Air Act is mainly concerned with the emission of grit and smoke from
chimneys. In steam raising plants, smoke is waste and with the high cost of fuels
there is considerable financial incentive for the large users of bituminous fuels to
be smokeless. Little trouble is experienced from these industrial plants but unfortunately
the normal domestic appliances are not capable of burning bituminous
fuels smokelessly and smokeless fuels must be used.
There has been a ready acceptance of smoke control by the general public
and the number of objections or criticisms has been remarkably few. Concern
has been expressed about the availability of solid smokeless fuels and the rapid
technological changes in gas production have increased the difficulties for adherents
to the solid fuel open fire. Although fewer gas cokes are available, other fuels are
being introduced and production of other carbonised fuels increased. The Minister
of Housing and Local Government will not confirm a Smoke Control Order unless
he is satisfied that supplies of smokeless fuels are adequate. Adequacy does not
mean ample supplies of all types of fuel but means sufficient supplies of a particular
type of fuel. Although the customer may not be able to obtain the fuel of
his choice, a suitable alternative will be available where solid fuel is preferred.
Every effort is made to encourage the installation of appliances which are capable
of burning any solid smokeless fuel.
There appears to be some misunderstanding about the effect of a Smoke
Control Order and many people still refer to a Smokeless Zone. The effect of the
Order is to require the householders within the area to use " authorised " fuels.
These fuels are: anthracite, cokes, manufactured smokeless fuels, Welsh dry steam
coal, electricity, gas and oil. The order refers only to the emission of smoke from
chimneys. This excludes bonfires, etc., but action may be taken under the provisions
of the Clean Air Act if the bonfire is causing nuisance.
Circular 51/65 of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government introduced
increased maximum costs for appliances required to be installed in Smoke Control
areas. The Council has accepted the list without modification and these costs now
apply to all areas. The increased maximum cost gives householders a wider choice
of appliance and fuel.
Industrial Atmospheric Pollution
Although the Borough contains several large industrial concentrations with
heavy industries, the amount of smoke from these areas is comparatively small.
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