• WE all understand that air pollution is a problem, especially in central London. However, we are saddened to hear that air pollution near the canal in Islington has been blamed on a small number of boats (Canalside walk ruined by choking fumes from boats, February 17).

Boats are small-time polluters.  If you go down to the canal you will rarely hear an engine on but if you go to nearby roads, you don’t just hear one engine but many, nearly all the time. King’s Cross (Euston Road and York Way) and its surrounding area is one of the busiest traffic areas in London and hence, according to records, the most polluted in London (howpollutedismyroad.org.uk).

More than 23,000 cars pass daily through here, producing 3.3 tons per kilometre of toxic nitrogen dioxide. By going to www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/annualmaps.asp you can see that boats on the canals are not a hotspot for pollution but the roads are.

As boat dwellers we create a smaller carbon footprint and cause less pollution than others in society; we are certainly more aware of water and electricity consumption. So we believe boat dwellers shouldn’t get the blame for pollution problems.

MARCUS TROWER
National Bargee Travellers Association, London branch chair