A group of South Surrey residents plans to stage a rally against diesel trucks being allowed to rumble through their neighbourhood.

The trucks, they say, are poisoning children and families with their carcinogenic fumes.

The rally, this coming Saturday morning, is being held by the 32nd Avenue Community Alliance in an attempt to get TransLink to "do the right thing" and have the truck route removed from 32nd Avenue between 152nd and 176th streets.

Pauline Cremin, of the residents' alliance, said that more than 1,000 diesel highway trucks are "racing" within metres of people's homes as well as schools, playgrounds and long-term care homes for the elderly.

"And this is with Campbell Heights Industrial Estate at only 10 per cent complete," she noted.

Cremin said that while provincial guidelines call for a minimum of 150 metres setback from schools and residences, the setbacks on some people's homes in this case are less than 10 metres from the road, and less than five metres with some playgrounds.

She noted that the World Health Organization in June declared diesel exhaust to be a "group one" carcinogen, right up there with plutonium 239, arsenic and asbestos.

"Knowing what we know about the deadly effects of diesel emissions, it is time for TransLink, City of Surrey and Ministry of Transportation to make the right decision for the health of the residents," Cremin said.

The rally will begin Saturday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m., at the corner of 154th Street and 32nd Avenue across from the fire hall.

"If you care, you should be there," Cremin said.

tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com

Twitter @tomzytaruk