CEMENT lorries pounding non-stop through London’s East End are causing health problems and creating a dusty ghost town, say families. Protesters have organised petitions and sent delegations to the Town Hall to stop thyem driving through their turning

By Else Kvist

CEMENT lorries pounding non-stop through London's East End are causing health problems and creating a dusty ghost town, say families.

Protesters have organised two petitions and sent delegations to the Town Hall to stop the cement supplier driving through their turning in Bromley-by-Bow.

One organiser, Nowrin Qureshi (pictured), told Tower Hamlets council: "The lorries carry cement and gravel, causing us stress and a very dirty community.

"They run late at night, shaking the buildings and waking us. Our kids are growing up in a dusty society with lack of sleep."

Epspson Street was becoming "a ghost town" with dust on windows, parked cars and pavements, she complained.

Nowrin organised a petition with her neighbours while another was set up by a local councillor, both calling for action.

The cement company blamed the local authority for allowing housing to be built next to their industrial estate.

"We have been here 25 years," said Modern Mix company director James Taylor. "It is only in the last five to 10 years they started building houses and more flats.

"We drive mostly Euro Five lorries with emissions cleaner than the air you breathe. I take as much precaution as possible to reduce our carbon footprint."

His business which employs 70 workers has grown by 40 per cent since his cement competitors moved out to make way for the 2012 Olympics at Stratford, adding more lorry journeys through the district.