Reading Smoke Control Areasbeta.reading.gov.uk/media/2820/Smoke-Control-Survey/pdf/Reading_… · Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) were introduced in residential areas where domestic ires

Reading Smoke Control Areas

November 2014

Main Report

Prepared by the Market Research Group at Bournemouth University

The Market research Group- Reading Smoke Control Area Survey November 2014

Contents Summary findings �� 3

Introduction �� 4

The Market Research Group �� 4

Methodology �� 5

About you / respondent profile �� 6

Main findings �� 7

Other comments �� 16

Conclusion �� 17

2


Summary findings

760 responses were received from the resident survey. 735 were paper responses and 25 completed online

surveys were received.

Respondent profile

There was an even split in respondents in terms of whether they were male or female. 11% of respondents

were aged 16 – 34, while 38% were aged 35 – 54 and 39% were aged 55 – 74.

More than half the respondents indicated that they own their property outright with more than one-third

buying on a mortgage. One out of every ten respondents indicated that they rent their property from a private

landlord.

More than one-third of respondents live with one other adult only, while one-quarter live by themselves. Just

less than one-quarter live with one other adult and child(ren). More than one-quarter of all respondents live in a

household with child(ren).

Solid fuels

One-third of respondents either currently use solid fuels or have done in the past. Three-fifths stated that they

don’t currently use solid fuels and that they do not plan to in the future.

More than two-thirds of respondents who currently use solid fuels or have done in the past use an open fire to

burn their solid fuels, while one-quarter use a stove.

More than half the respondents who currently use solid fuels indicated that their appliance was already

installed in their property, while more than one-quarter indicated that it was installed by a specialist trader.

More than two-thirds use logs, while more than half use wood they have collected or scavenged themselves.

More than two-fifths use smokeless coal while one-quarter use coal.

Of those who use scavenged wood, more than four-fifths obtain it from their own garden, while one-quarter

obtain it in the form of planks, pallets etc from skips.

The majority of those who currently use solid fuels or have done in the past use them as a source of

supplementary heating rather than as their main form of heating.

88% of those who use solid fuels or have done in the past use it at least once a week during January to March.

Half the respondents use it 1 – 2 times, while one-fifth use it at least 5 times a week.

No respondents use solid fuels more than 4 times a week during April – June. One-fifth use them at least once a

week during this period.

The vast majority of respondents who use solid fuels or have done in the past never use them during July to

3


September. 5% of respondents use them 1 – 2 times a week during these months.

More than four-fifths of those who use solid fuels or have done in the past use them at least once a week

during October to December. One-third of respondents use them at least three times a week during this

period.

More than half the respondents who use solid fuels or have done in the past store them outdoors under

cover, while more than two-fifths store them in a shed, cellar or other covered area. One-fifth store them

inside their home.

Smoke Control Areas

More than two-thirds of respondents do not know if they live in a smoke control area.

One-third of respondents indicated that they don’t know what a smoke control area is. More than half

indicated that they think they are areas where you can only use approved smokeless fuels, while one-fifth

think they mean that you can’t burn any smoky fuel.

More than one-quarter of respondents don’t know where they would look to find out if they are in a smoke

control area. More than half would look on the Reading Borough Council website while one-fifth would look

to the Environment Agency to find out or would use a search engine.

Two-thirds of respondents were unsure and would need more information before deciding if there should be

more smoke control areas in the Borough. More than one-quarter felt that the number of smoke control areas

in the Borough should be increased.

One-quarter of respondents indicated that they have or someone they know has experienced issues as a

result of air pollution. Of these, three-quarters suggested that they have experienced breathing difficulties

while half have experienced unpleasant smells. Two-fifths have been required to do extra cleaning/

washing.

The majority of respondents think that the main cause of air pollution is traffic pollution. More than one-

quarter feel that industrial emissions/smoke is a main cause of air pollution with a further one-quarter

feeling that smoking is a main cause of air pollution.

4


Introduction

Reading Borough Council commissioned The Market Research Group (MRG) at Bournemouth University

to undertake a survey of residents in the Reading area. The project is funded by an Air Quality Grant from

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Wood burning stoves have increased in popularity with the price of gas, oil and electricity being uncertain.

However many people may not be aware that burning some solid fuels can have a negative impact on air

quality. Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) were introduced in residential areas where domestic fires and smog

was a problem. Currently there are 21 SCAs, covering 62% of Reading. The Borough Council has been

monitoring air quality for over 10 years and is conducting a variety of projects to improve air quality.

The aim of the research is to help with the creation of a targeted awareness raising campaign. Key areas

that the survey asked residents about are:

• Use of solid fuels and appliances

• Storage of solid fuel

• Awareness of Smoke Control Areas

• Effect of air pollution on household

• Resident profile

The Market Research Group

The Market Research Group (MRG) is an independent market research agency based within Bournemouth

University. We are a full service agency, with our trained staff giving us the ability to conduct quantitative,

qualitative and desk research projects. We specialise in providing market and social research and

intelligence services to Local Authorities, public sector, tourism and heritage organisations, as well as

within the academic sector, tailored to suit the needs of individual organisations.

We work in partnership with our clients and focus on adding value at every stage of the research process

together with a cost effective and flexible service. MRG have been working with Local Authorities for more

than ten years.

5


Methodology

This report analyses and explores the results of the residents survey conducted for Reading Borough

Council. The target population for the survey was a random selection of local residents within Reading.

Randomised Self-completion survey with postal return

4,000 paper copies of the survey along with pre-paid return envelopes were distributed at random to

local residents across each ward in Reading. Reading Borough Council provided MRG with a list of postal

addresses to select the random sample from. The sample was stratified to ward level. The fieldwork period

was open for 12 weeks and a full reminder was sent to those who had not returned a copy of the survey

within the first 6 weeks. The paper survey also included a link to an online version of the survey should

residents wish to complete an electronic version of the survey. The fieldwork period was open from 28 July

2014 and closed on 17 October 2014.

Data analysis

All completed surveys were returned to MRG where they were logged, processed and scanned. This

ensured that responses remained entirely confidential and that no individual could be identified via the

analysis.

Paper copies were scanned and entered in to SNAP software and responses from both the paper and online

completion approaches were merged. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software.

Sample size and statistical validity

A total of 760 responses were received from the survey.

A sample of 760 implies that the results are representative of Reading residents to within ± 3.55% at the

95% confidence level (i.e. there is only 1 chance in 20 of the margin of error contained within the results

being greater than 3.55%).

Sample size and subset size - The total base sample for each question can be found to the bottom left of

each graph (labelled BASE:). When questions have been analysed by demographic information or key driver

questions the subset sample size will be found in brackets next to individual labels within the graph/table.

When sample size is relatively low it will be marked with an asterisk (*); data in this form should be treated

as indicative only.

6


About you / respondent profile

A number of questions were asked of respondents in order to determine the profile of residents.

Ward area

The table below highlights how the original

sample of 4,000 surveys were distributed

amongst the ward areas, the distribution of Distribution and returns

surveys returned and the response rate from

each ward. The highest response rates were

from Thames and Mapledurham, while the

lowest response rate was from Abbey.

There was an even split of responses from

those who live in an SCA (48.5%) and those

who don’t (51.5%).

Age and gender

There was an even split in respondents in

terms of whether they were male or female.

11% of respondents were aged 16 – 34,

while 38% were aged 35 – 54 and 39% were

aged 55 – 74.

Surveys sent out

Surveys returned

Response rate

Abbey 210 22 10.5% Battle 216 28 13.0% Caversham 398 85 21.4% Church 170 31 18.2% Katesgrove 203 24 11.8% Kentwood 299 51 17.1% Mapledurham 145 46 31.7% Minster 287 34 11.8% Norcot 377 65 17.2% Park 170 20 11.8% Peppard 310 75 24.2% Redlands 168 31 18.5% Southcote 230 45 19.6% Thames 294 94 32.0% Tilehurst 309 74 23.9% Whitley 214 28 13.1% Total 4000 760 19.0%

Type of housing

More than half the respondents indicated that they own their property outright with more than one-third

buying on a mortgage. One out of every ten respondents indicated that they rent their property from a

private landlord.

Number of people living at home

More than one-third of respondents live with one other adult only, while one-quarter live by themselves.

Just less than one-quarter live with one other adult and child(ren). More than one-quarter of all respondents

live in a household with child(ren).

7


Main findings

Solid fuels

Use of solid fuels

One-third of respondents either currently use solid fuels

or have done in the past. Three-fifths stated that they

don’t currently use solid fuels and that they do not plan

to in the future.

Use solid fuels Yes

No but I have in the past

No, but I plan to in the future

No and do not plan to in the future 60%

10%

7%

23%

Base: 743

More likely to use solid fuels

55-7435-54

£

25%27%

Own outright

26%24%

Buying on

mortgage

Base: Varied

Respondents aged 35 – 74 are significantly more

likely than those aged younger than 35 or older

than 75 to currently use solid fuels. Respondents

who rent from a private landlord are significantly

less likely to currently use solid fuels than those

who own their property outright or are buying on

mortgage.

Half the respondents who live in Thames currently

or have previously used solid fuels, while more than

two-fifths of those who live in Kentwood, Redlands

and Mapledurham do. Ward areas with the lowest

percentage of respondents who currently use or

have previously used solid fuels were Park, Minster

and Battle.

Use of solid fuels by wards

Just less than one-third of respondents who do

not live in an SCA currently use solid fuels (30%),

compared to just 15% of respondents who do live in

an SCA.

Appliances that burn solid fuel

Appliances

Other

Stove26%

11%

Open fire

69%

Electric1%

Barbeque

Chiminea1%

1%

Boiler

Wood burner4%

4%

Base: 247

More than

two-thirds of

respondents who

currently use solid

fuels or have done

in the past use

an open fire to burn their solid fuels, while one-quarter use a stove. More

than one out of every ten use another appliance. These include a wood

burner, boiler, chiminea, barbeque and electric appliance.

Thames (92)

Mapledurham (44)

Redlands (31)

Kentwood (51)

Peppard (74)

Caversham (82)

Tilehurst (74)

Norcot (61)

Church (31)

Whitley (27)

Abbey (21)

Southcote (45)

Katesgrove (24)

Battle (26)

Minster (33)

Park (20)

46%

50%

45%

41%

39%

35%

30%

28%

23%

22%

19%

18%

17%

15%

15%

15%

Base: Varied as labelled

8


Installation of appliance

More than half the respondents who currently use solid fuels

indicated that their appliance was already installed in their

property, while more than one-quarter indicated that it was

installed by a specialist trader.

Types of solid fuels used

More than two-thirds use logs, while more than half use wood they

have collected or scavenged themselves. More than two-fifths use

smokeless coal while one-quarter use coal.

Type of fuel used Wood I have collected myself

Wood chip

Wood pellets

Logs

Smokeless coal

Biomass briquettes

Coal

57%

3%

3%

9%

70%

burn logs in their appliances

70% 45%

25%

Base: 214

The majority of those who currently use solid fuels

or have done in the past use them as a source of

supplementary heating rather than as their main

form of heating.

Installed appliances

Specialist trader

Builder

DIY

Already installed

Other

Base: 237

56%

6%

7%

27%

3%

Of those who use scavenged wood,

more than four-fifths obtain it from

their own garden, while one-quarter

obtain it in the form of planks,

pallets etc from skips. However,

there were only 24 responses to this

question and as such these findings

should be treated as indicative only.

Use of solid fuels

Scavenged wood

From own garden

Local Woodlands

Planks, pallets etc., from skips

Contacts in building/ horticultural industries

Other

83%

13%

13%

25%

13%

Base: 24

9


Frequency of use of solid fuels for heating

January - March

Of those who use solid fuels or have done in the past, 88% use it at least once a week during January to

March. Half the respondents use it 1 – 2 times, while one-fifth use it at least 5 times a week.

April - June

One-fifth of those who use solid fuels or have done in the past use them at least once a week during April to

June. No respondents use them more than 4 times a week during this period.

July - September

The vast majority of respondents who use solid fuels or have done in the past never use them during July to

September. 5% of respondents use them 1 – 2 times a week during these months.

October - December

Similarly to January to March usage, more than four-fifths of those who use solid fuels or have done in the

past use them at least once a week during October to December. One-third of respondents use them at least

three times a week during this period.

How often solid fuel is used

Never 1 - 2 times a week 3 - 4 times a week 5 - 6 times a week Everyday

12% 51% 17% 10% 10%January - March (197)

80% 16% 4%April - June (158)

96% 5%July - September (156)

17% 51% 16% 9%9% 8%October - December (191)


Storage of solid fuel

Storage of solid fuel More than half the respondents who use solid fuels or 4% have done in the past store them outdoors under cover, other while more than two-fifths store them in a shed, cellar 21% or other covered area. One-fifth store them inside their store fuel

at home home. 52%

outdoors 11%Under outdoorsa cover 43% without

in a shed cover cellar

or other covered area

10


Smoke Control Areas

SCA by wards

45%

46%

42%

33%

33%

32%

32%

31%

30%

28%

27%

27%

27%

25%

25%

11%

Tilehurst (72)

Southcote (42)

Katesgrove (24)

Norcot (63)

Caversham (82)

Kentwood (50)

Thames (91)

Redlands (29)

Minster (30)

Mapledurham (43)

Abbey (22)

Battle (26)

Peppard (71)

Park (20)

Church (28)

Whitley (28)


Knowledge of living in a Smoke Control Area

More than two-thirds of respondents do not know if

they live in an SCA. Respondents who do not live in an

SCA are significantly less likely to know if they do or

not.

Whitley residents were least likely to know if they live

in an SCA, while more than two-fifths of respondents

who live in Katesgrove, Southcote and Tilehurst knew

whether they live in an SCA. Knowledge of living in

an SCA ranged between 25 – 33% of respondents who

live in other ward areas.

Male respondents were significantly more likely to

know if they live in an SCA, while older respondents

are more likely to know if they do or not. Respondents

who rent from a private landlord are significantly less

likely than those who own their property outright or

are buying on a mortgage whether they live in an SCA.

SCA by demographics

75+55-7435-54<35

37% 47%27%19%

Age

£Own

outright

14%

Rent from private landlord

28%39%

Buying on

mortgage

Household

Male Female

37% 28%

Gender

Base: Varied

11


What is a Smoke Control Area?

Smoke Control Areas understanding All

respondents

were asked

to indicate

what their

understanding

of what

an SCA is.

One-third of

respondents

indicated that

they don’t

know what

an SCA is.

More than

half indicated

that they

think they are

They mean you can’t burn any smokey fuel

They are old laws that do not apply anymore

Don't know

They are areas where you can only use exempt appliances to burn fuels

They are areas where you can only use approved smokeless fuels 52%

1%

12%

20%

33%

Base: 744

areas where you can only use approved

smokeless fuels, while one-fifth think they

mean that you can’t burn any smoky fuel.

Respondents who live in Whitley and

Redlands were most likely to not know

what an SCA is, while those who live in

Katesgrove were least likely to not know

what they were.

SCA knowledge by ward

46%

50%

45%

41%

39%

35%

30%

28%

23%

22%

19%

18%

17%

15%

15%

15%

Whitley (28)

Redlands (31)

Kentwood (51)

Church (30)

Battle (27)

Mapledurham (44)

Tilehurst (70)

Norcot (62)

Caversham (82)

Park (20)

Peppard (74)

Abbey (22)

Thames (93)

Minster (34)

Southcote (44)

Katesgrove (24)


12


Female respondents were significantly more likely to indicate that they don’t know what an SCA is, as

are respondents aged younger than 35 and those who rent from a private landlord. Respondents aged

younger than 35 are significantly less likely to indicate that they think SCAs are areas where you can only

use approved smokeless fuels. Significantly more respondents aged older than 75 than any other age group

think they mean you can’t burn any smoky fuel.

Knowledge of SCA by demographics Male Female <35 35 - 54 55 - 74 75+ Own

outright Buying on mortgage

Rent from landlord

Yes* No**

They mean you can’t burn any smokey fuel 22% 18% 17% 14% 19% 42% 26% 15% 13% 28% 16%

They are old laws that do not apply anymore 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 4% 2% 0% 1% 1% 1%

Areas where you can only use exempt appliances to burn fuels 15% 9% 10% 14% 12% 10% 11% 13% 15% 20% 9%

Areas where you can only use approved smokeless fuels 56% 49% 32% 49% 64% 47% 58% 50% 37% 77% 41%

Don't know 28% 38% 56% 39% 25% 23% 25% 38% 48% 6% 46%

* Respondent knows if they live in a SCA ** Respondent does not know if they live in a SCA Base: Varied

Respondents who rent from a private landlord are significantly less likely to think that they are areas

where you can only use approved smokeless fuels, while respondents who own their property outright are

significantly more likely to think they mean you can’t burn any smoky fuel.

Respondents who do not know if they live in an SCA are also significantly more likely to indicate that they

don’t know what one is.

There were no significant differences in terms of knowledge of what an SCA is between those who live in

one and those who do not.

13


22%

Information on Smoke Control Areas

More than one-quarter of respondents don’t know where they would look to find out if they are in an SCA.

More than half would look on the Reading Borough Council website while one-fifth would look to the

Environment Agency to find out or would use a search engine.

Significantly

more

respondents

who indicated

that they know

if they live in an

SCA than those

who don’t know

would look on

the Reading

Borough Council

website to

find out if they

are in an SCA.

Respondents

who don't know

Find out if living in a SCA

Environment Agency

Search engine

Reading Borough Council Website

Other

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Don't know

21%

19%

4%

56%

get information from the

Reading Council website

56% 4%

29%

Base: 742

if they live in an

SCA are also significantly more likely to not know where to look to find out if they are in one.

Find out if living in SCA There were no

significant differences

between gender, age

groups or type of

accommodation in terms

of where respondents

would look to find out if

they are in an SCA.

Reading Borough Council Website

Search engine

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Environment Agency 20%

14% 21%

11%

2%

47% 74%

yes* (226) no** (493)

8%

37%

3%

5%

Other

Don't know

** Respondent does not know if they live in a SCA Base: Varied as labelled

* Respondent knows if they live in a SCA

14


The number of Smoke Control Areas

Number of SCAs Not sureDecreasedIncreased

7%27% 66%

? Base: 734

Effect of air pollution on household

One-quarter of respondents

indicated that they have

or someone they know has

experienced issues as a result

of air pollution. Of these, three-

quarters suggested that they

have experienced breathing

difficulties while half have

experienced unpleasant

smells. Two-fifths have been

required to do extra cleaning/

washing. Other health issues

include asthma, cough/chest

infections, skin conditions,

sore eyes and COPD.

Two-thirds of respondents were unsure and would need more

information before deciding if there should be more SCAs in

the Borough. More than one-quarter felt that the number of

SCAs in the Borough should be increased.

Significantly more respondents who do not know if they live

in an SCA are unsure if there should be more or less of them

within the Borough.

Issues because of pollution

If yes please say how...

Have you or people you know ever experienced issues as a result of air pollution?

Don’t know

15%

No

59%

Yes

26%

Unpleasant smells

OtherStressBreathing dificulties

Extra cleaning

Other non health issue

74%

6%

38% 51%

16%16%

Base: 740

Base: 190

15


Causes of pollution

9% Other

9% Domestic Chimney Smoke

24% Smoking

28% Industrial emissions/smoke

Traffic Pollution91%

Base: 714

Cause of air pollution

The majority of respondents think that the main

cause of air pollution is traffic pollution. More than

one-quarter feel that industrial emissions/smoke is a

main cause of air pollution with a further one-quarter

feeling that smoking is a main cause of air pollution.

Significantly more respondents aged younger than

35 feel that smoking is a main cause of air pollution, while significantly fewer respondents aged older than

75 feel that industrial emissions/smoke is a main cause.

Causes of pollution by age 75+55-7435-54<35

94%88%93%

9%

6%

15%

9%

9%

24%

9%

9%

35%

9%

4%

28%

91%

21%23%24%31%

Traffic Pollution

Other

Domestic Chimney Smoke

Smoking

Industrial emissions/smoke

Base: Varied

16


Other comments

When asked to offer any other comments/ suggestions, respondents gave a variety of answers relating to

the issues included in the survey.

After categorising these open comments main themes that could be identified were:

• No issues with air quality (11 comments)

• Traffic issues (40 comments)

• Awareness (21 comments)

• Health issues (5 comments)

• Bonfires (22 comments)

• Systems used (16 comments)

• Enforcement (2 comments)

• Smoke from cigarrettes (3 comments)

• Issues with systems and their use by others (12 comments)

• Population growth (2 comments)

• Other (12 comments)

• Survey comments (14 comments)

17


Conclusion

This study allowed Reading Borough Council to investigate the use of solid fuels within the borough, as

well as asking for the views of residents regarding their understanding of smoke control areas.

Results suggest that while one-third of residents either currently use or have used solid fuels in the

past. However, three-fifths of residents have never used solid fuels and do not plan to do so in the future.

Residents aged 35 – 74 are more likely to be currently using solid fuels than those aged younger than 35 or

older than 75.

An open fire is the most common type of solid fuel appliance, followed by a stove. More than half the

respondents to the survey indicated that their solid fuel appliance was already installed in their property

when they moved in, while one-quarter had it installed by a specialist trader.

Respondents are most likely to use logs and wood that has been collected by themselves on their solid fuel

appliances. The majority collect this wood from their own garden, while one-quarter obtain it from planks

and pallets in skips. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents use smokeless coal, significantly more than

use regular coal. More than half of solid fuel users in Reading store them outdoors under a cover, two-fifths

store them in a shed, cellar or other covered area. One-fifth store them indoors.

The vast majority of respondents who use solid fuels used them at least once a week during January to

March, with one-fifth using them at least five times a week during this period. Similarly, more than four-

fifths use solid fuels at least once a week during October to December, with one-third using them at least

three times a week. While no solid fuel users make use of them more than four times a week during April to

June, one-fifth use them 1-4 times a week.

More than two-thirds of respondents do not know if they live in a smoke control area. In addition to this,

when asked what their understanding of them was, one-third of respondents did not know what they are.

Half the respondents thought they are areas where you can only use approved smokeless fuels. Due to

these findings, it is important to publicise to households whether they live in a smoke control area or not

and what the requirements are within them. This is reinforced by the fact that two-thirds of respondents do

not know if the number of smoke control areas within Reading should be increased or decreased and that

they would need more information before deciding.

One-quarter of respondents indicated that they or someone they know has experienced issues caused by

air pollution. Of these, three-quarters indicated they experienced breathing difficulties. Furthermore, half of

those who have experienced issues as a result of air pollution indicated that they experienced unpleasant

smells, while just less than two-fifths have had to do additional cleaning as a result. Due to this, it may be

worth promoting the causes of air pollution and the approaches to adopt to minimise these.

18


APPENDIX 1- TOPLINE RESULTS

19


Do you currently use solid fuels? f %

Yes 167 23%

No but I have in the past 73 10%

No, but I plan to in the future 54 7%

No and do not plan to in the future 449 60%

Total 743 100.0%

Age group How house is occupied

<35 35 - 54 55 - 74 75+ Own outright

Buying on

mortgage

Rent from

private

landlord f % f % f % f % f % f % f %

Yes 8 10% 77 27% 71 25% 9 10% 88 24% 69 26% 5 7%

No but I have in the past 3 4% 21 7% 29 10% 18 20% 49 13% 15 6% 4 6%

No, but I plan to in the future 12 15% 30 11% 9 3% 3 3% 14 4% 35 13% 4 6%

No and do not plan to in the future 57 71% 154 55% 171 61% 60 67% 223 60% 147 55% 59 82%

Total 80 100% 282 100% 280 100% 90 100% 374 100% 266 100% 72 100%

What appliance(s) do you/did

you use to burn solid

fuel? f %

Open fire 170 69%

Stove 65 26%

Other 26 11%

Total 247 100%


What type(s) of solid fuels do you use? f % Wood I have collected myself/scavenged 122 57%

Wood pellets 6 3%

Wood chip 7 3%

Logs 149 70%

Biomass briquettes 20 9%

Smokeless coal 96 45%

Coal 53 25%

Total 214 100%

If you burn scavenged wood where do you

obtain it from? f % From own garden 20 83%

Local woodlands 3 13%

Planks, pallets etc., from skips 6 25%

Contacts in building or horticultural industries 3 13%

Other 3 13%

Total 24 100%

Why/how do you

use solid fuel in your

home? f % Main form of heating 19 10%

Supplementary heating 179 90%

Total 198 100%


On average, how often

do you use solid fuel to

heat your home during

the following periods? Never 1 - 2 times a week 3 - 4 times a week 5 - 6 times a week Everyday Total f % f % f % f % f % f %

January - March 24 12% 100 51% 34 17% 19 10% 20 10% 197 100%

April - June 126 80% 25 16% 7 4% 0 0% 0 0% 158 100%

July - September 149 96% 7 5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 156 100%

October - December 32 17% 97 51% 30 16% 17 9% 15 8% 191 100%

Where do you store your solid fuel? f % Inside your home 43 21%

In a shed, cellar or other covered area 87 43%

Outdoors under cover 106 52%

Outdoors without a cover 23 11%

Other 8 4%

Total 203 100%

What is your understanding of Smoke Control Areas? f % They mean you can’t burn any smokey fuel 150 20%

They are old laws that do not apply anymore 9 1%

They are areas where you can only use exempt appliances to burn fuels 91 12%

They are areas where you can only use approved smokeless fuels 389 52%

Don’t know 247 33%


What is your understanding of Smoke

Control Areas? Gender Age group Male Female <35 35 - 54 55 - 74 75+

f % f % f % f % f % f % They mean you can’t burn any smokey fuel 79 22% 69 18% 14 17% 40 14% 54 19% 39 42%

They are old laws that do not apply

anymore

5 1% 3 1% 1 1% 1 0% 3 1% 4 4%

They are areas where you can only use

exempt appliances to burn fuels

55 15% 35 9% 8 10% 39 14% 34 12% 9 10%


approved smokeless fuels

201 56% 184 49% 26 32% 138 49% 180 64% 43 47%

Don’t know 100 28% 143 38% 45 56% 109 39% 69 25% 21 23%

Total 359 100% 374 100% 81 100% 283 100% 280 100% 92 100%

What is your understanding of Smoke

Control Areas? How house is occupied Known if in an SCA or not

Own outright

Buying on

mortgage

Rent from private

landlord Yes No f % f % f % f % f %

They mean you can’t burn any smokey fuel 97 26% 40 15% 10 13% 66 28% 77 16%

They are old laws that do not apply

anymore

7 2% 0 0% 1 1% 2 1% 4 1%


exempt appliances to burn fuels

42 11% 36 13% 11 15% 46 20% 43 9%


approved smokeless fuels

218 58% 133 50% 28 37% 178 77% 202 41%

Don’t know 94 25% 103 38% 36 48% 14 6% 225 46%

Total 374 100% 268 100% 75 100% 232 100% 489 100%


Do you know if you

live in a Smoke

Control Area? f % Yes 233 32%

No 495 68%

Total 728 100%

Do you know if you

live in a Smoke

Control Area? Gender Male Female

f % f %

Yes 129 37% 102 28%

No 224 64% 263 72%

Total 353 100% 365 100%

Do you know if you

live in a Smoke

Control Area? Age group <35 35 - 54 55 - 74 75+

f % f % f % f %

Yes 15 19% 75 27% 101 37% 40 47%

No 63 81% 205 73% 175 63% 46 54%

Total 78 100% 280 100% 276 100% 86 100%


Do you know if you

live in a Smoke

Control Area? How house is occupied

Own outright

Buying on

mortgage

Rent from private

landlord f % f % f %

Yes 141 39% 75 28% 10 14%

No 222 61% 190 72% 63 86%

Total 363 100% 265 100% 73 100%

Where do you look to find out if you

are in a Smoke Control Area? f % Environment Agency 154 21%

Reading Borough Council Website 413 56%

Search engine 141 19%

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service 33 4%

Other 28 4%


Total 742 100%

Where do you look to find out if you

are in a Smoke Control Area? Known if in an SCA or not

Yes No f % f %

Environment Agency 50 22.10% 97 19.70%

Reading Borough Council Website 168 74.30% 231 46.90%

Search engine 32 14.20% 105 21.30%

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service 7 3.10% 22 4.50%

Other 17 7.50% 8 1.60%

Don’t know 24 10.60% 184 37.30%

Total 226 100.00% 493 100.00%


Would you like to see the number of Smoke

Control Areas in the Borough increased or

decreased? f % Increased 200 27%

Decreased 51 7%

Not sure, I need more information before I decide 483 66%

Total 734 100%

Have you or people you know ever

experienced issues (health or otherwise) as a

result of air pollution? Count

Column

N % Yes 191 26%

No 436 59%


Total 740 100%

If yes please say how… f % Breathing difficulties 141 74%

Stress/anxiety 31 16%

Other health issue 31 16%

Unpleasant smells 97 51%

Extra cleaning/washing 72 38%

Other non-health issue 12 6%

Total 190 100%


What do you think is the

main cause of air pollution

affecting you or your family? f % Traffic Pollution 649 91%

Domestic Chimney Smoke 65 9%

Smoking 170 24%

Industrial emissions/smoke 198 28%

Other 62 9%

Total 714 100%

What do you think is the

main cause of air pollution

affecting you or your family? Age group <35 35 - 54 55 - 74 75+

f % f % f % f %

Traffic Pollution 73 91% 256 93% 235 88% 80 94%

Domestic Chimney Smoke 7 9% 24 9% 25 9% 8 9%

Smoking 25 31% 65 24% 60 23% 18 21%

Industrial emissions/smoke 22 28% 96 35% 65 24% 13 15%

Other 3 4% 26 9% 25 9% 5 6%

Total 80 100% 276 100% 266 100% 85 100%

Are you male

or female? f % Male 362 49%

Female 378 51%

Total 740 100%


What is your

age group? f % 16 - 24 6 1%

25 - 34 75 10%

35 - 44 131 18%

45 - 54 152 21%

55 - 64 149 20%

65 - 74 137 18%

75+ 93 13%

Total 743 100%

In which of these ways does your

household occupy your current

accommodation? f % Own outright 380 52%

Buying on mortgage 268 36%

Rent from council 2 0%

Rent from Housing Association / Trust 6 1%

Rent from private landlord 75 10%

Other 6 1%

Total 737 100%

Including yourself, how many people

live in your house according to these age

groups��? f %

Live alone 172 25%

Live alone with child(ren) 32 5%

Live with 1 other adult 238 35%

Live with 1 other adult and child(ren) 125 19%

Live with 2 other adults 51 8%

Live with 2 other adults and child(ren) 18 3%

Live with 3 or more other adults 28 4%

Live with 3 or more other adults and child(ren) 13 2%

Total 677 100%


APPENDIX 2-Q20 OPEN ENDED COMMENTS

29


No issues with air quality

Air quality has improved dramatically in recent years, cars have lower emissions, cleaner the air the better.

(Abbey, SCA, Male, 55 - 64)

The health problems I had with air pollution were when I lived in London, that was one of the reasons I moved to Tilehurst where the air is much clearer. If there are restrictions on garden fires and on what can be burnt no-one knows about them so maybe a few posters or a leaflet drop would help.

(Kentwood, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

There are no air quality issues I am aware of in Reading.

(Kentwood, SCA, Male, 35 - 44)

I have no problem with the burning of solid fuels and air quality in my area.

(Kentwood, SCA)

Domestic chimney smoke is not a problem in the area that I live i.e. Caversham.

(Mapledurham, Not in an SCA, Male, 55 - 64)

The area in which I live and its elevation does not suffer from air pollution in my opinion.

(Norcot, SCA, Male, 75+)

I have no need to press for more regulation in my area. No problems that are significant.

(Park, Not in an SCA, Female, 25 - 34)

I do not believe reading has a significant pollution problem at all, and would like the time and cost of survey making spent on road and rubbish problems.

(Redlands, Not in an SCA, Male, 65 - 74)

Does not seem to be a major issue in this area.


I live on the edge of Reading and I personally think the air quality in my home area is very good.

(Thames, Not in an SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

30


This is not a smoke control area, but there are no problems with smoke or air quality. There is no need for additional controls in this local area.

(Thames, Not in an SCA, Male, 55 - 64)Traffic issues

There is a lot of traffic which causes pollution in the central Reading area. The development of new high rise apartment buildings will only exacerbate this issue. The council should restrict the building of high rise buildings and promote sustainable housing.

(Abbey, Not in an SCA, Male, 25 - 34)

I would like to see measures to keep traffic flowing and keep cyclists/pedestrians away from traffic.

(Battle, SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

I am a cyclist and it is very obvious on some hot, still days that you can smell and taste petrol fumes an I have more difficulty breathing on my bike. The new Tesco and West Village on Oxford Road and fast food outlets cause more pollution and stinking rubbish.

(Battle, SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

Cycling along the river to work rather than along Oxford Road to Woodley has stopped my breathing problems because of the traffic pollution.


Fewer cars on the road = less pollution. More people should use public transport, encourage them by charging rational fares e.g. flat rate from town terminus to town centre.

(Caversham, Not in an SCA, Female, 65 - 74)

Reduce number of cars per household.


Burning of solid fuel seems insignificant in comparison with the pollution caused by Reading's dreadful traffic flow problems - very high levels of particulates, particularly in summer, cannot be blamed on burning of solid fuel.


Need more facilities for cyclists to reduct number of car journeys

(Caversham, Not in an SCA, Female, 75+)

31


Air pollution in Caversham is caused by traffic. Traffic pollution needs tackling. Burning of non-smokeless fuels is not a significant issue here.


The biggest contributor to poor air quality for us is pollution from traffic, which sits in a queue pumping out fumes several times a day. There is little incentive for cyclists to be encouraged and the roads are dangerous. Cycle paths end abruptly at the most dangerous places. Bridges cant cope with volume of cars.

(Caversham, SCA, Male, 35 - 44)

It seems to me the biggest source of air pollution in Reading is traffic - especially vehicles in static jams, belching out exhaust emissions. Any initiatives to keep traffic moving would surely do more to reduce air pollution than any attempts to stop people using wood burners etc. Stop sticking traffic lights everywhere, they often impeded traffic flow unnecessarily. Develop incentive schemes to discourage drivers into/through Reading. Make bus fares and bike scheme cheaper! Build the third bridge to reduce town centre congestion.


The main problem in Reading is poor traffic flow and congestion.

(Church, Not in an SCA, Male, 65 - 74)

Air is generally poor in the Thames Valley because it is a valley, therefore it does not matter what you do. You won't be able to affect it because of the major motorways / roads passing through it.


Explore research on cars using electric power and petrol with lower emissions. It would be good if the price of oil could be reduced.

(Church, Not in an SCA, Female, 65 - 74)

One way to minimise vehicle pollution is to improve traffic flow and reduce traffic jams. A particularly bad example is the Mill Lane/London Street bottleneck where traffic was reduced to one lane. If London Street reverted to two lanes southbound and the pinch point was removed from Mill Lane there would be a great improvement.


Traffic pollution from the older Reading Borough Council buses


Return of roundabout at end of Elm Road/Shinfield Road. Queues of traffic in Elm Road always, traffic pollution and noise.

32



Traffic pollution is a big issue for us. Cost of public transport is horrendous. Huge pavement on A4 between Calcot Golf Course and Aldi when no-one ever walks there. Would have been more cost efficient and better to build a cycle path.

(Female, 35 - 44)

Traffic pollution is a major issue in Kentwood Hill. Large lorries still travel up and down in spite of the hill being unsuitable.

(Kentwood, SCA, Female, 75+)

Use of solid fuel is not a significant source of pollution when compared with vehicle emissions. The smoke control area has don its bit to reduce pollution but driven more by availability of natural gas.

(Norcot, SCA, Male, 55 - 64)

More action on traffic pollution and speeding.


Too much traffic around Prospect Park residential areas, especially Grovelands Road, very bad for children in particular in terms of health and safety.


I know buses are seldom let into the traffic. However bus lay-by at stops would reduce traffic pollution.


Living only about three miles from the centre of a large town, we are very lucky in that we do not suffer from air or noise pollution. There are no motorways or think roads in the vicinity.

(Peppard, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

Traffic pollution in reading is due to stop start driving which is increased by reading council use of bus lanes. Buses block roads and the bus lanes increase traffic jams. Reading council need to admit that trying to get people onto busses is not working, if you take into account the money spent on running the busses and the cost of bus lanes and traffic lights for busses the cost per customer journey will be extremely high. If a tiny fraction of the money spent on busses was spent on cycle facilities the air pollution could be reduced. Stop wasting money, sort out traffic flow and make reading cycle friendly.

(Peppard, Not in an SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

33


Seems to be more pollution in South Reading because of proximity of M4 - therefore traffic pollution is main cause in our town.


Very concerned about the amount of parents using cars to bring child/children to and from school every day. We have recently moved near a school and it is horrendous the amount of cars that turn up. The pollution that this must cause doesn't bear thinking about.

(Peppard, Not in an SCA, Female, 65 - 74)

Smoke control in east Reading is irrelevant compared with air pollution from traffic. Why are you discussing smoke control zones and at the same time trying to build a third Reading bridge increasing traffic.


There seem to be a lot of vehicles (mostly vans and buses) still emitting nasty looking exhaust emissions in excess volumes. There is no way to report these vehicles. Can you do something about this?

(Redlands, Not in an SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

We need real cycle lanes (not just painted areas on the road) like on the continent.

(Thames, Not in an SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

Would like to see more 20 mph signs imposed in densely built up areas.

(Thames, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

Uplands Road has had enough of constant buses and cars on the road. There is little room if a lorry parks. Please find and alternative bus route.


This is certainly a step in the right direction and I am pleased to offer my thoughts, it would be nice to see steps being taken to improve fumes from the traffic, I appreciate and support the measures to get people using public transport but this too needs to be friendly to the environment. Also allowing the traffic to be so congested is far from ideal, 80% of vehicles are diesel and these produce far more harmful gas. Also petrol vehicles use more fuel stationary, thus allowing the increase of hydro carbons to be far greater. If you allow pedestrians to share this air quality this will lead to poor health. Finally, should you really be allowing so many black cabs in the town, these are all diesel and often these sit around with their engines running for a long time, thus. If you want to target something look at this group also.


We have a lot of old diesel taxis. Should these not be replaced? Reading buses are doing their bit

34


with gas power. The taxis should go green.


I would like to see more electrically powered vehicles on the road and a reduction of fuel powered types.


Please reduce the amount of traffic moving through Caversham.


Some of the older buses are smoking and cause pollution - get them seen to A.S.A.P.

(Tilehurst, SCA, Male, 55 - 64)

The most common type of heating in this area is gas central heating, any emissions from chimney are peripheral. The outpourings from traffic are checked by the public transport provisions in this area. Therefore any funds or grants should go towards public transport arrangements.


With regards to traffic pollution my road is used as a shortcut / race track even though it has speed bumps. Also, some users don't obey weight limits.

(Whitley, Not in an SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

The area I live in is close to the M4, therefore it is my belief that Reading, particular Whitley Wood is a poor area for good air quality. This contributes to the high number of asthmatic and others who suffer breathing difficulties - I am a nurse and see this daily.

(Whitley, Not in an SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

35


Awareness

Need to have more general information available


I had no idea air quality was being monitored. I think it needs more publicity and information sharing via local newspapers/ TV news etc.

(Caversham, SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

House agents should know the situation of control in the area and pass on details to new tenants and owners.

(Caversham, SCA, Female, 75+)

More information needed.

(Caversham, SCA, Female)

Council to raise awareness of health risks regarding burning debris in garden etc.


I think there should be more public education about air pollution in general but especially for families with young babies or children. More testing of diesel cars emissions essential to reduce cardiovascular deaths and asthma.


I do not really know anything about smoke control areas. I do know that I wish people were not allowed to have bonfires as I believe them to be antisocial and dangerous.

(Katesgrove, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

I am unaware of the smoke control areas, not sure if this has been advertised/promoted.

(Katesgrove, SCA, Male, 35 - 44)

I have no idea what the regulations regarding wood/solid fuel burning and nor does anyone I know. Information should be more available. Also, who monitors and enforces the rules.


I do not think air pollution/smoke control areas is a topic that has been highlighted to residents or

36


people occupying them. It has been alien until this survey.


Would appreciate if it was possible, to understand the levels of all main pollution sources in our areas and the implication of these levels more easily than it is currently possible.


Until now I'd never heard of a smoke controlled area.

(Minster, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

Really do not understand if garden tagines are included in this survey or whether they come in the category of smoke control area.

(Norcot, SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

Tell us what fuels are smokeless when we live in a smokeless area.


After filling in this survey I looked online to see if I lived in a smoke control area, it was not easy to find out, I eventually gave up!


Assuming the council knows which properties are within a smoke control area, does it not inform occupants of the implications of that status?


I have no idea if I live in a smoke control area, I've never heard anything about it. I had a multi-fuel stove installed at great cost so I would be very angry if I couldn't use it!


People need education on what fuels they can burn, households still giving off smoke from chimneys.


Reading Council's website it not very good at being able to locate smoke control area information. Also, why is central Reading not in a smoke control area (around the oracle).


37


It would be useful to know where to get impartial information about various fuels.

(Tilehurst, SCA, Female, 75+)

People misunderstand rules - particularly relating to use of garden bonfires. It would help if information was refreshed and recirculated by RBC.


38


Health issues

You have only included wood and coal because you can see the result i.e. smoke. All other burning causes pollution and can be more harmful to health i.e. gas, oil. Diesel engines produce particulates which particularly affect elderly people. And what about tobacco and other smoking? Barbecues, burger stalls? And aircraft dumping their fuel! And aircraft...(I won't go as far as farting!).

(Caversham, SCA)

Question 15 is incorrectly stated as it assumes, without proof being shown, that air pollution affects my health in this borough. As such it allows incorrect conclusions to be drawn. Having commissioned many surveys, I find it unprofessional.


People do seem to be burning palettes and other treated softwood without knowing or considering the health effects. There could be greater awareness raising of issues given the increase (perceived but I think real) of wood burning stoves etc.

(Southcote, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

Due to me having COPD taking into account many people of the community having asthma, burning residential rubbish should be stopped, especially in summer as this makes is worse with respiratory problems


Seriously reducing pollution would be fantastic and should not be a matter of negotiation as health is a priority and not a political game.

(Tilehurst, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

39


Bonfires

Air pollution does not come from burning solid fuels. It comes from people burning rubbish in their back gardens and stationary traffic.


I think all bonfires etc. should be banned in built up areas, there is already enough pollution because of traffic.

(Katesgrove, SCA, Female, 45 - 54)

We have occasional problems with smoke from bonfires from nearby allotments in the early evening. I am not against bonfires as we occasionally have them but people should be told not to have them before a certain time (say 8.80pm in the summer).


I believe that bonfires are a far more regular source of pollution than log burners in my local area. There seems to be no control exercised at all over what is burned or when.


Burning of rubbish or garden rubbish only after 4pm as people can be working in their gardens, children could be playing, washing is hung out!


Include bonfires in the subject. Traffic pollution and explaining why the driving public were influenced to buy diesel cars in the recent past and now being informed that emissions are also bad for the environment.


I would like to see more control of back yard burning as it often involves green vegetation and thus very smoky.


Would like to see strict controls on the use of bonfires.


Please ban bonfires. Please consider a London style low emission zone in all Reading postcodes. Please consider a congestion charge.

(Minster, Not in an SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

40


Smoke from garden bonfires was not mentioned in this survey but has a much bigger impact on residents' lives.


I would be interested to understand why there are no formal guidelines on bonfires and when it is appropriate to have them and where. As far as I'm aware there are 'common sense' principles on the website (Reading Borough Council) but no way to ensure them. Bonfires can cause major problems if people are ignorant of what can be burned.


We have had problems with people having bonfires in the built up area - much more of an issue than fuel burning in homes.


Rules regarding bonfire (if there are any) should be more publicised - especially during summer months. The smell affects my clothing when I put the washing out and when the windows are open.


Knew there used to be restrictions in 70s but never heard anyone mention any since childhood. Is there a restriction on garden bonfires and what time you can do them.


I had to speak to a neighbour who was burning old fence panels and posts but there is a smell given off due to the coating on the wood.


I have a feeling that garden bonfires are not allowed in a town environment but I'm not 100% sure.

(Thames, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

I have often rung the council over my concerns about bonfires and chimney smoke only to be told very abruptly to move from Caversham to Newton.


I would like to know the rules regarding garden bonfires as my 'green bin' is not big enough for all garden waste and my compost heap is enormous.


41


Bonfires should be banned across the Borough. Persistent bonfire from someone in Greystoke Road, Caversham, normally on hottest day of the year.


Bonfires are regular in out street, and during the heatwave we had to shut all of our windows. I find it a disgrace in 2014 people are so uneducated about bonfires.


I would like to see a total ban on garden bonfires to stop inconsiderate neighbours preventing out enjoyment of our own garden and causing unpleasant smells and breathing conditions especially during warm days when windows are open. Also a partial ban on smoky barbecues; gas power emits less smoke than conventional types.


Better control of burning rubbish in gardens.

(Whitley, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

42


Systems used

I rarely light my fire any more. Even with smokeless fuel it is very messy and storing the coal and kindling is not easy.

(Abbey, SCA, Female, 55 - 64)

I like the smell or burning logs and coal in winter in my area.


Use of stove have reduced central heating bill. It is much easier than an open fire.


I would be interested to know why this survey is being carried out. I have invested heavily in a lined chimney and wood burner and would not want to rely on expensive gas and electricity. I think the questions about health and pollution are ill conceived. How can non-medical people say what causes ill-health. One question on cigarette smoking would have been useful.


Details given are for the past year 2013/2014. My husband has recently died, so my use of solid fuel based heating may alter in future.

(Mapledurham, Not in an SCA, Female, 65 - 74)

I have no solid fuel appliances.

(Norcot, SCA, Male, 75+)

Use of wood for heating and cooking is sustainable. It uses fuel that would otherwise end up in landfill. Searching and preparing for use is good exercise. It is the only way I afford to heat my home. Any restriction would mean I go cold all winter. A better way to improve pollution would be encouraging use of railway and our canal system rather than lorries.


We do not use any solid fuel. Only gas and electric.

(Peppard, Not in an SCA)

We have a jetmaster log burning appliance installed 30 years ago. As well as direct heat it gives off convected heat. The only other heating we have in the house is central heating so it acts as back-up if that fails. How often we use it depends on the severity of the winter. How often we use it depends on the severity of the winter, only used at weekends (if very cold) and not every weekend. I nearly

43


threw envelope away without opening - survey should have been mentioned on outside, it looked like junk mail.


Regarding question 1 - 6 I no longer live in a house with any forms of solid fuel and heating.


I rely on under floor heating and only use wood burner on special occasions when outside conditions are cold/damp.


We use a modern cassette-type log burner to provide additional ground-floor heating in winter - mostly weekends, Christmas etc.


It is important that solid fuel heating remains. It may be supplementary but a back up source of heat is plain common sense. I do remember winters like 1947 and 1963.

(Southcote, SCA, Male, 75+)

I think wood burning stores are a good idea as they are built to produce heat efficiently and minimise emissions. These would appear to be in the mid to expensive range therefore people buy the cheapest and cause more pollution. I would not wish to see them banned, just controlled.


Wood burner installed last year in an effort to reduce gas usage.

(Thames, Not in an SCA)

We use the open fire about 5 - 6 times per winter. The radio button options did not provide responses to indicate this.


44


Enforcement

When my husband and I moved to this house we were told it was in a smokeless zone. This has never been enforced and we are surrounded by emissions. I would like to see stricter enforcement so we can all live more healthy and pleasantly.


Now more eco-friendly burning fuels and devices are widely available - laws and requirements need to be updated.


45


Smoke from cigarettes

Please can the council do more to enforce cigarette smoking laws (e.g. ensuring smokers observe the minimum distance from doorways/public entrances)


There is an issue with other residents in the flats, smoking right outside the building. I get the smoke in all rooms of my first floor flat, I feel this should be regulated.

(Minster, Not in an SCA, Female, 25 - 34)

Any reduction in air pollution from reduce smoke, reduced cigarette smoking areas, reduced cigarette rubbish, diesel etc. is going to help everyone's quality of life.

(Southcote, SCA, Male, 55 - 64)

46


Issues with systems and their use by others

There are many houses in this area that do not use smokeless fuel. In the 1960s people were given a grant to change over to gas fires.


Smell from wood burning fires.

(Caversham, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

Take particular care with installations in new builds. My experience has been inefficient heating systems that on paper appear environmentally friendly but just don’t function well - maybe use of cheap products is to blame.


I would like to have the option of using logs on the open fire or the odd occasion in the winter months. Up to now, I had thought we could do this.


For thousands of years we have made fires to cook and warm ourselves. If you're planning to follow the lead of the EPA in the US by banning wood burning stoves, then imagine if we had a long lasting power cut. The same fools to ban it would be grateful to anyone that could light them a fire.


There is a lot of smoke from chimneys in Reading in the smoke control area. My neighbour at the back of my house burns logs and the smoke from the bungalow with a low chimney blows straight into my garden.


It is a fad that it is not good for the environment.


As mentioned briefly in Q14 the war years (WWII) - the worst for all air pollution due to dust/buildings on fire/fumes from all sorts of engines. 1950s onwards, air pollution from coal burning chimneys/factories - plus traffic smog (daily).

(Park, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

Neither planning nor building control regulations prevented our next door neighbours from installing a ground floor chimney within 10 feet of our first floor bedroom windows. As solid fuel burning

47


stoves become increasingly fashionable this issue needs addressing urgently to prevent further suffering.


One of our neighbours houses can only be treated by using solid fuel. Encouraging their stingy landlord to put in modern heating would improve the whole neighbourhood - he gives them scavenged wood to burn and it smells dreadful.

(Redlands, Not in an SCA, Female, 25 - 34)

Not keen on smoke free areas if it means you can't burn wood.


I would welcome a smoke restriction in my area. Local residents use smoky fuel in their fire place.

(Male, 35 - 44)

48


Population growth

Continuing immigration has a massive effect on pollution. We have limited capacity and infrastructure to cope with this. Education also cannot cope with it, housing likewise. We are not talking rocket science here just plain common sense - this is not racist.

(Mapledurham, Not in an SCA, Male, 75+)

Existing residents burning dead wood is not the problem. The problem of increased air pollution comes from encouraging too many people to move into an already populated area.


49


Other

If the scientists told people about the world and the environment pollution then I think the whole world would have a clean environment.


Sitting in front of an open fire on a cold January evening is something I enjoy very much. I do not drive a car and I only burn recycled wood. I think I do my bit to reduce air pollution already.


My husband drives steam engines therefore burns over 10 tons of coal on a daily basis. I do not know if it is smokeless coal or not.


Is this important to be able to have a lot of fire?

(Caversham, SCA, Female, 35 - 44)

Levels of air pollution, as measured by our roadside monitors.

(Caversham, Not in an SCA, Male, 35 - 44)

Put wind turbines between junction 11 and junction 12 M4 to offset some power needs of reading.


Tell the Eastern Europeans about the dump, this will cut down on fires and the stuff they dump in the street maybe.


I wish I could help you more but I don't use solid fuel and not quite sure what harm fuel would cause, except if one ought to get burnt from open fire.


We work as volunteers with the care of a small orchard in a local Horticultural Therapy unit, and much of our wood comes from pruning the trees in this orchard. We store the cut wood until it dries before burning. Because of the age of the orchard shredding and composting is not advisable because the wood is often diseased.


50


I live under the flight path to London Heathrow both landing/taking off and worry about fuel emission during these times. They land and turn left at what is called in aviation language, Woodley Beacon. This is my main concern regarding releasing fuel for landing.

(Redlands, Not in an SCA, Female, 75+)

Regarding plane tree pollen mentioned above. This may not be well known in UK but is worth considering in terms of improving air quality. For more information Roay Cheek, Horticultural Consultant is an expert on plane tree issues.


Noise pollution is also a big problem, especially the exceptionally loud fireworks people can buy these days. I worry mainly about the effect on wildlife.


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Survey comments

Glad to know that this sort of thing is reviewed from time to time.

(Caversham, Not in an SCA, Male, 35 - 44)

Thank you so much for addressing this important issue - if really fuels my faith in Reading Council (a good first impression as I am new to the area)


Glad to see Reading looking into this as I do notice pollution in central London. It is nice to get back to Reading.


Have you done an air quality survey in London?

(Katesgrove, SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

What will be done with the information gathered?


You say 'not possible to link any individual to the answers/questionnaire' yet you have put codes on the front page to do exactly that. Surely in times of "transparency" better to be honest with people.


Is there really a problem with air pollution in Reading? This seems a lot of waffle for very little purpose.


I would be interested in seeing the results of this survey.

(Southcote, SCA, Male, 45 - 54)

Good as being reviewed.

(Tilehurst, SCA, Male, 75+)

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Documents

Reading Smoke Control Areasbeta.reading.gov.uk/media/2820/Smoke-Control-Survey/pdf/Reading_… · Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) were introduced in residential areas where domestic ires