As a learner driver, I am studying the Highway Code. As a young person of 17, I also care passionately about the environment, especially air quality and its effect on human health.
For a few years now I have noticed that nearly every Tuesday between 8.30am and 9.30am, the council environmental services recycling lorry parks in Grange Drive near Halmer Gate while the hard working refuse collectors take a break sitting in the vehicle. These men perform a valuable service but the driver nearly always keeps the engine running for the 30-45 minutes it stays there. So it was today on June 4 until they left at about 10.30am.
The Highway Code rule 123 makes it an offence to leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.
The recycling service is presumably paid for out of council tax and it would appear that those in charge of it do not properly monitor whether such a waste of fuel and money might be taking place.
I am told that large lorries carry recording equipment, and those in private ownership also carefully monitor break periods and fuel economy.
The unnecessary discharge of fuel emissions every Tuesday in Grange Drive must eventually lead to more toxic air quality, including gases and particulates.
The preferred parking space for this lorry, emblazoned with its green credentials, is just a few yards from a very busy route to school in Halmer Gate used by hundreds of children.
Those responsible for running this publicly funded service need to wake up or be held accountable by the police for breaking the law and polluting our air.
Name and address
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