An ill wind that blows into towns along the coast
SIR – Your article (October 31) on pollution in Eastbourne and other towns and cities fails to mention air pollution caused by marine shipping. Those figures, readily available, are as concerning as those for cars and coal-fired generators.
It would seem probable that Eastbourne, and other south coast resorts, would suffer from windborne pollution, being on the north shore of the English Channel with mainly south-westerly winds.
You only have to drive along the docks in Southampton to see the air-borne smog emanating from ships tied up alongside; and that is only from their generators and secondary power plants. When the main engines fire up, the pollution – both visible and invisible – is staggering.
Perhaps more research is necessary into the effects of airborne, marine-sourced pollution along the south coast.
Jeremy Spencer-cooper Easebourne, West Sussex