New fuel for council vehicles

GREEN thinking officials in Ipswich are today piloting the use of alternative fuel in council vehicles.

A bio-diesel trial is currently being carried out on behalf of Ipswich Council's streetcare department in an attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

The move follows a larger trial by the Greenways Project who now run all of their vehicles on the alternative fuel.

James Baker, project co-ordinator for Greenways, said: "We have been running on biodiesel for about ten months but you have to build up the proportion very slowly to avoid engine problems.

"We have now been running on 100 per cent bio-diesel for a couple of months.

"There are huge environmental benefits such as the drop in most emissions, the fuel is recycled and renewable – the crop growing takes up the carbon dioxide emitted."

Mr Baker has been in discussion with the council's head of environmental strategy Matthew Ling and a trial is being carried out by the company from which they lease their vehicles.

Dr Ling said: "Ipswich Borough Council is looking at the use of alternative fuelled vehicles as a part of its commitment to reducing the impact of our business upon the environment.

"If the trial is successful we will look at the practicalities of utilising bio-diesel in our fleet vehicles."

Dr Ling said Ipswich Buses were also looking at the practicalities of using the fuel in some of their vehicles.

He added: "The early indications are that emissions are reduced, which can only be good for air quality within Ipswich.

"In addition to bio-diesel we are also exploring the possibility of electrically powered pool vehicles for officers to use for work related travel. This will enable a greater reliance on sustainable transport within Ipswich, with associated benefits on local environmental quality in terms of noise and air pollution."

What do you think of this idea? Write to us at Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk