Rushcliffe Borough Council is urging residents not to burn garden waste or other materials during the current lockdown, but to store it safely at home instead.
As most Ruddington households follow Government guidance to stay at home whenever possible during the Coronavirus outbreak, it’s expected villagers will continue to spend more time out in the garden – especially during the recent, warmer weather. However, the authority is keen to highlight the effects of bonfires on those with breathing conditions.
It follows a similar plea just before the Easter weekend, from Ruddington resident Tahmina Tinsley, who said: “There might be people with COVID-19 in the village who are perhaps having respiratory issues already without adding smoke to the problem. Also for those of us shielding due to respiratory diseases such as severe asthma or COPD being able to open windows or use gardens is the only access to the outside we have and will not only help people’s mental wellbeing but also help keep them healthy and out of the hospitals.”
Of course Coronavirus can cause significant breathing problems for people who contract the illness – putting some patients, like our own Prime Minister, into intensive care. Even those managing their symptoms at home may need to open windows and doors to improve their breathing. In such cases, smoke from a fire could worsen their condition. Ruddington is also experiencing exceptionally high pollen levels at the moment.
Tahmina says she appreciates it’s a big ‘ask’ when people are locked down at home, fancying a BBQ in fine weather: “I totally get the BBQ thing, and most of the time it’s okay. If a lot of people on an estate are doing them it becomes a bit much for someone’s respiratory system to cope with. But bonfires are the main issue.”
The authority is asking residents to be considerate to their neighbours and assess whether garden waste could instead be composted or disposed of using Rushcliffe’s Garden Waste Scheme to help reduce the amount of smoke that may affect their neighbours and add to air pollution. Otherwise, we’re asked store our garden waste until our nearest Recycling Centre on Rugby Road reopens. This also reduces the chance of a fire getting out of control and spreading to neighbouring properties – which would increase pressure on the emergency services at this critical time.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Rob Inglis, said: “Under the current circumstances, we know many are heading to their gardens to enjoy some fresh air. We’re appealing to all residents to consider their neighbours and not burn any materials in their garden unnecessarily during this time and help improve air quality for their local community. We know it can be inconvenient to store this waste for longer than normal, however we are not currently operating in ‘normal’ times.”
Cllr Inglis added: “Those with breathing difficulties can find themselves unable to venture outside for exercise or leisure time in their gardens when air pollution is high, and materials are being burnt unnecessarily nearby. Please dispose of any garden waste responsibly at this time and visit our Garden Waste Scheme page to find out more.”
You can find much more news about how the pandemic of potentially deadly COVID-19 Coronavirus has transformed everyday life in Ruddington >>HERE<<.
