MPs want DPFs on Olympics site

Twenty nine MPs have signed an Early Day Motion calling on the London Olympics ‘to fulfil its pledge to tackle harmful emissions from construction equipment used on site.’

The MPs and members of the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), the trade body for particulate manufacturers, are calling on the Olympics and other major construction projects in London to implement the Best Practice Guidance. This proscribes the fitting of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to machines over 37kW working on large construction sites.

In a statement the EIC said: “The Olympic Delivery Authority’s ‘Sustainable Development Strategy’ includes a commitment to implementing the recommendations in the Best Practice Guidance. However, with construction on the London Olympic site well underway, there is no sign that this positive rhetoric has been back up with action.”

Danny Stevens from the EIC said: “The London Olympics has pledged to be the most environmental yet – that must include ensuring this huge construction project does not contribute to poor air quality.

“Poor air quality is a killer. It is about time that the ODA acted on its commitment to implement the London Best Practice, including protecting the public from poor air quality by ensuring that suitable pollution control technology is fitted to the equipment used on site.”

“Cars, buses, lorries and other heavy-duty road vehicles have long been subject to strict emission controls, yet the equipment used on construction sites remains unregulated and free to pollute.”

 With up to 2,000 machines expected to be working on the Olympics, the cost of retrofitting DPFs would probably exceed £6m.