The sight and smell of burning coal...

[Calsug]

What are people?s views on this?

I?m torn between all three-

1) it might be the only way someone can afford to heat their house

2) it?s illegal and damaging to people?s health

3) indifference and just leave them to it

[womanofdulwich]

We used to burn smokeless fuel but it still makes smoke.

[Sue]

Where would people buy coal?

Surely all you can buy these days is smokeless fuel?

[Robert Poste's Child]

Do you mean around here? If they're in London or another city or town it's certainly a problem but in the country or a village I'd be less concerned.

[Calsug]

Yes around here.

[DulwichFox]

B&Q sell Smokeless Coal BUT also sell coal that is prohibited in smokeless zones. Clearly marked on the packaging.

[Inbound]

I have unfond memories of the realities of using coke/coal from when I was young, filthy hands stink of smoke and a long wait before you get any heat To contemplate such a retrograde is madness!

[Calsug]

Pretty sure I?ve seen bags of non smokeless for sale in the co-op too

As I said I?m not passing judgement and am wondering what people think I guessed it is up there as probably one of the more readily flouted and least enforced laws

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> B&Q sell Smokeless Coal BUT also sell coal that is

> prohibited in smokeless zones. Clearly marked on

> the packaging.

[JohnL]

Inbound Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I have unfond memories of the realities of using

> coke/coal from when I was young, filthy hands

> stink of smoke and a long wait before you get any

> heat To contemplate such a retrograde is madness!

My dad worked in British Steel and brought bags of Coke home to burn (it was a perk then). We filled the boiler with it every day too.

I actually got to like the smell and still like the smell of coal tar based shampoo.

[malumbu]

Shop them, stop them, or shut up.

And to the moaning minies out there far more health issues with (legally) burning wood, in an open fire or approved wood burner, the latter being well trendy around here. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/01/pollutionwatch-wood-burning-worsening-uk-air-quality

(It's been known about for years, but the Guardian is often behind the times)

[uncleglen]

Yes well, as usual, Southwark can afford to pay people to come up with a 284 page document but as for actually DEALING with the problem

http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/b50007773/Appendices%20Tuesday%2031-Jan-2017%2014.00%20Health%20and%20Wellbeing%20Board.pdf?T=9

[Nigello]

https://store.terravesta.com/ This stuff is very energy efficient and has free delivery right now.

[Sue]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> https://store.terravesta.com/ This stuff is very

> energy efficient and has free delivery right now.

That's interesting! I've never come across Miscanthus used as a fuel before, only as a decorative grass!

It may be sustainable etc, but I can't see anything on their website about possible pollution (or not) when it is burned?

ETA: These are what I have used for the last year or so:

http://www.fuelexpress.co.uk/products/winter-fuels/heatlogs

https://www.homebase.co.uk/fuel-express-heat-logs_p493186

[bodsier]

Carbon neutral wood? How so?

[Seabag]

You can buy real bituminous coal at many places

It?s usually at petrol stations, not the big brand ones, but the smaller ones up near Crystal Palace.

It?s blatantly breaking the clean air act, but never known one to be prosecuted.