Page 24 - link magazine

NEWS &VIEWS
24

LEAD FREE PETROL IS CHEAPER NATIONAL STUDY SLATES
by Neil Buick
Lead pollution is a health hazard run on un-leaded, ask about a UNDER-5s PROVISION
and that's a fact. conversion. For newer cars this is No surprises for West Swindon pre-schoolers
Have you thought of using un- usually a simple modification A study by the National Child- Playgroups Association. But a,
leaded petrol? Only one in fifty that will not affect performance ren's Bureau shows that Wiltshire most parents with children in the
petrol stations in the U.K. sells and will cost about £12. is at the bottom of the national ten West Swindon playgroups
unleaded petrol, but one of them Very few cars run exclusively heap as far as nursery provision is are aware, each playgroup is an
is on our doorstep - the Mobil on un-leaded petrol; so once concerned. Less than one per independant body and relies on
filling station at the Meads you're committed to un-leaded, cent of children in Wiltshire re- fees and fundraising by parents
Roundabout on Great Western don't worry about running out of cieve full time nursery education to keep them going.
Way. There are four others with- petrol whilst on holiday or in against 22% for three and four Commenting on the National
in five miles which sell lead free remote parts. Your car will con- year olds nationally. Children's Bureau survey, Maria
fuel. tinue to run on petrol with lead in The results of a survey will not Grime, mother of two children
Un-leaded petrol is now it. You can obtain a map showing come as a surprise to the many and Chair of Wiltshire County
appearing in Britain because of a where the 519 stations selling un- parents who move to West Council's schools sub-committee
1983 decision by the government leaded are by writing to CLEAR, Swindon from other parts of the said, "When I moved to Swindon
to phase lead out of petrol in the 3 Endsleigh Street, London country where there is a far ten years ago I was struck by how
public interest. There was distur- WCI ODD. better chance of full-time, free poor the resources directed to
bing evidence that children can At last the government has nursery provision. under-5s were. We have not
be adversely affected by low recognised the environmental Some children, particularly improved facilities very much
levels of exposure to lead and car benefits of lead petrol. It is now from northern counties, will since.
exhaust gases are the main cheaper than leaded petrol since have enjoyed several terms in "I became involved in com-
contributors to the build-up of the budget last month. Could nursery or day-care centres and munity life by helping in my local
lead in air, dust and soil. By this be an incentive to convert become confused at the lack of playgroup and then in my children's
using un-leaded petrol, you will your car? opportunity for group activity school. The parents who manage
be contributing to a reduction in isn't much to promote a cleaner when they arrive in the area. playgroups do a valient job volun-
lead pollution and protecting environment and the protection Parents also become very frus- tarily, but it's getting harder to
children's health. of public health. trated when they discover that pay the rent let alone staff.
Not all cars run on un-leaded The Mobil station on Great there is so little for their children "As a Councillor who has fought
petrol and some older engines Western Way has leaflets which compared to what they had. for under-5s, I'm really saddened
would be damaged by it. If you list all the cars which can run Wiltshire County Council has that there is such a lack of com-
are interested in using un-leaded immediately on un-leaded petrol. five nursery units, four in Swindon mitment by the politicians and
petrol, the simplest thing to do is Why not drive over and pick one but none in the west. The County bureaucrats in Wiltshire. Un-
ring the service department of up. Better still, if you really want and Thamesdown Borough Coun- fortunately there are no votes
the local main dealer, give the to avoid pollution, why not go by cil make grants available to the from pre-school children."
model and year of the car and ask bike? voluntary work of the Pre-School
whether it's possible. If it will not

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