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The Council accepted an invitation to join the Joint Conference
of Local Authorities dealing with atmospheric pollution.
This Joint Conference consists of the London Boroughs of
Barking, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, and
the Chigwell Urban Council.
Matters of mutual interest and concern arising from the
implementation of the Clean Air Act are discussed and in this
connection the Joint Conference submitted representations to the
Ministry of Transport concerning the emission of smoke and
fumes from diesel lorries. The observations of the Ministry are
as follows:—
"When lorries are stopped during heavy goods vehicle
checks, they are examined thoroughly, and, if they are emitting
excessive fumes and smoke, they are banned from use until this
has been corrected.
The prosecution of a wide variety of offences against the
Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations is handled
by the police and it is not apparent what advantage there' would
be in Local Authorities assuming this function in respect of
offences relating to excessive smoke. The power to stop moving
vehicles is of course vested in the Police.
The use of heavy lorries to transport goods is an important
part of our transport system and it is the Government's policy to
develop a properly co-ordinated, efficient and flexible system
in which each form of transport does the job to which it is best
suited. Banning lorries from using roads where their exhaust
fumes might affect the general public or from using the highways
altogether would hardly be consistent with this policy.
Motor manufacturers are already actively engaged in practical
work aimed at reducing potentially toxic emissions from petrol
engined vehicles. As regards diesel engines, if these are used
in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and properly
maintained and adjusted, very little smoke should be emitted. Unfortunately
engines are not always used properly and goods
vehicles are often underpowered or overloaded and hence emit
excessive smoke. It is therefore against the users (or rather
misusers) of these engines that we are taking steps rather than
the manufacturers. The Road Safety Bill, which was introduced
recently will enable goods vehicles to be required to bear a plate
showing the maximum weight beyond which it will be an offence
to load that vehicle. A British Standard for diesel engines which
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