Air pollution from diesel trains

Dear Department for Transport,

Please detail what powers, if any, the DfT has to tackle air
pollution caused by diesel trains.

If the DfT is the body capable of taking and acting upon public
reports of such pollution, please supply contact details for the
appropriate department.

If the DfT is not the competent authority in these matters, please
detail to whom the ORR would direct members of the public with air
pollution concerns caused by diesel trains.

Yours faithfully,

D Willingham

Dear Lara Bolch,

According to the FOIA, I am supposed to be given a response
promptly, and based upon the date the request was submitted, no
later then 5th February 2010, and this should not be a difficult
set of questions for the DfT to answer.

All I wish to do is lodge an air pollution complaint about certain
diesel trains which appear to be so poorly maintained that they are
causing plumes of visible pollution as well as leaving the air
tasting of diesel. This should not be a difficult environmental
complaint to make.

However, it is proving a challenge to find out which is the
competent authority with enforcement powers in respect of this type
of pollution from mobile trains, as the obvious candidates keep
suggesting each other, with no single authority being able or
willing to take responsibility or action.

Given its position, the DfT should be able to provide the de facto
answer, and should have done so by close of business yesterday.

I look forward to a prompt response.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Willingham