Councils everywhere are being pushed to reduce air pollution, especially particulates emitted by burning of various fuels. Under Environment Act 2021, some are considering extending existing Smoke Control Areas to cover waterways. This will enable councils to enforce the use of smokeless fuels and/or DEFRA approved stoves on boats in those areas. No evidence is available to show boats to be more than a minor source of emissions. Be very clear, these measures are not climate measures, indeed, if they were, they would be counterproductive, as are LEZs (-replacing old diesels with new diesels does not tackle carbon emissions!).

Few boats are kitted out with DEFRA approved stoves, which of course carry a premium price, and the lowest power output is 4.5kw, so many boats would have to open all windows and doors whilst using. The alternatives left are expensive fossil-based smokeless fuels in current stoves, or in DEFRA approved stoves-only smokeless again, or kiln dried wood, despite the massive carbon release at drying stage and at transport from the Baltic. One more alternative is to convert to diesel heating, inflicting carbon and particulate emissions, but seemingly compliant with clean air zones.

Of course, we encourage everyone to take care what you burn. Firewood should be as dry as possible and untreated, but we fully accept that many of us cannot afford such things and scavenge wood as and where it presents. We therefore also ask everyone to be a part of the conversation about our responsibilities, individually and as a community in this matter. Perhaps we can do better than we do now! Please contact us at secretariat@bargee-traveller.org.uk

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