Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock
THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council is reminding people in Strabane over the Christmas period to heed advice regarding the use of domestic home heating fuels in designated Smoke Control Areas.
The smoke control areas were first introduced in the Strabane area in 2007, in a bid to improve air quality across the district. Council is asking that the public and businesses are mindful of the environmental impact of smoke emissions from both commercial and domestic chimneys.
The Mayor, Alderman Hilary McClintock, explained that the measures would ensure better air quality for everyone.
“An Air Quality Action Plan was implemented over recent years, which includes a range of measures aimed at improving public health. As a result air quality has improved dramatically since the introduction of smoke control areas, in particular in the Strabane area.
“It is important that these control measures are continued to ensure public health is protected.
“So I would ask everyone to be mindful – particularly over the colder months – of the consequences of burning home heating fuels for the health and well-being of everyone.”
Officers from Council’s Environmental Health Service continue to undertake enforcement activities to ensure compliance with smoke controls, which includes the sale of non-smokeless fuels and the burning of such fuels in domestic and commercial buildings.
Anyone requiring any further information in relation to smoke control should contact the Environmental Health Service of Derry City and Strabane District Council by telephoning the Environment and Neighbourhoods Team on 028 253 253.
Further information in relation to Smoke Control Areas is available at https://www.derrystrabane.com/airquality
Ends
