§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department(a) is undertaking, (b) has evaluated and (c) has conducted into the effects on pedestrians of the positioning of exhaust outlets of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles at ground level; if he will introduce legislation to require repositioning of exhaust outlets at the top of vehicles, along the lines of that introduced in the United States; and if he will make a statement. [7460]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government is not aware of any research into the effects on pedestrians of the positioning of exhaust outlets of heavy goods and public service vehicles and has not considered making it mandatory to reposition exhaust outlets at the top of vehicles. It is however a requirement that buses have their exhaust pipes at the rear or on the off side of the vehicle.
Exhaust emissions from heavy vehicles are being addressed through a series of improvements in vehicle design and exhaust after-treatment systems, together with in-service enforcement measures, which are aimed at achieving a general standard of air quality. Although, against this background, it would not appear that the position of the exhaust pipe will have any significant impact on health, it is nevertheless a factor which we shall take into account as we explore with industry how even cleaner and more efficient vehicles may be produced.