‘Pollution Patrol’ on the streets of Lewisham say: ‘Turn off those idling engines’

A community ‘Pollution Patrol’ has been out on the streets of Lewisham to encourage motorists to clean up their act.

Families spend three hours urging drivers in Lewisham not to sit in their cars with their engines running recently, and will do so again in Dulwich and Lee this weekend Organiser, Camilla Berens said fears about long-term health problems for children and other vulnerable groups have been heightening since the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah from asthma believed to have been brought on by high levels of traffic emissions.

Ms Berens said: “We’re know some councils are now starting to impose fines for engine idling but word isn’t getting out fast enough.

Last year, a major university study of air pollution in east London found that the lung capacity of 8 and 9-year-olds is five per cent lower than the national average.

Air pollution in South London is just as bad. We have to do everything we can to clean up our air as quickly as possible.’

The Pollution Patrol is part of a wider initiative to improve air quality by Greenwich-based co-operative, South East London Community Energy (SELCE).

In the past five years, the volunteer-led co-op has raised £360,000 to install solar arrays on seven primary schools through ‘community share offers’.

SELCE chairwoman Ms Berens said: “The more clean, solar energy we generate, the more we can reduce London’s dependence on toxic, climate-changing emissions from power stations; another major source of air pollution along with vehicle exhaust.”

This month, SELCE is aiming to raise a further £260,000 for four more community-based solar projects.

The sites are: St. Luke’s Church, Downham; Thamesmere and Coldharbour Leisure Centres and a giant community art installation on the Greenwich Peninsula.

The deadline to take part in the SELCE share offer is December 9.

Ms Berens said: “The way we raise money for our projects is a winner for everyone involved.

Everyone who puts £250 or more into the community pot will receive a three per cent annual interest payment and the opportunity to withdraw their investment after three years.’

So far, SELCE has received three national awards.

The co-op’s members have been praised by Greenwich & Woolwich perspective Parliamentary candidate Matthew Pennycook, as ‘true pioneers’ who have put in more than 12,000 volunteer hours to bring their projects to life.

Local Greater London Authority representative, Len Duvall, has also given the thumbs up for the co-op’s work.

Any surplus from SELCE’s solar projects is used to fund its fuel poverty reduction initiatives.

Each winter, the co-op runs a series of pop-up Energy Advice Cafes where locals are given expert help to reduce their energy bills and make their homes warmer.

Workshops are also provided for carers and vulnerable groups.

Selce’s community share offer closes on Saturday 30th November.

More information can be found on its website. (selce.org.uk).