Tell Vera About Smokey!
Who is
Vera?
VERA isn't a who she's a what! She's
Mid Suffolk District Council's campaign to cut the amount of fumes
being pumped out into the atmosphere by vehicles that are not
properly maintained.
VERA, which stands for Vehicle
Emission Reporting Arrangement, aims to involve everybody in a bid
to cut down these harmful gases.
Why do we need VERA?
Motor vehicles are already a major
source of air pollution in large towns and cities but now the
problem is getting worse in rural areas. It is important that we
try to cut pollution because it can contribute to ill health and
damage plant and animal life.
What causes smoke emission?
There are three main causes of smoke
emissions:
- faulty fuel
systems
- ignition problems
- too much oil in the
combustion chamber
It is very important to remember that
all three do not just lead to pollution they also cost you more
money because your vehicle is using more petrol or oil than it
should.
If you have got a vehicle which is
powered by diesel and you find there is excessive smoke it is
normally caused by worn or badly maintained fuel injectors and
pumps.
Your vehicle can fail the MOT test
if its emission level is too high. So remember:
- have your vehicle
regularly serviced
- it makes good sense
for you and the rest of the world because it cuts and reduces
pollution.
How can I help?
By keeping an eye out for smoky
vehicles and reporting them to VERA. Mid Suffolk District Council's
Environmental Health staff have set up a single contact point for
people to report vehicles, both commercial and private, which they
think are emitting too much smoke.
Please contact
Customer Services Direct with the
following details:
- Vehicle registration
number
- Date and time vehicle
emission took place
- Location at which
emission took place
- Type of vehicle (bus,
HGV, articulated lorry, etc)
You will also be required to give your
name and address.
VERA will forward details of
commercial vehicles to the Department of Transport Vehicle
Inspectorate, and registration numbers of private vehicles to DVLA
at Swansea. The registered keepers of the vehicles will be notified
of the alleged smoke emission and will be asked to act upon the
notification as necessary.