12.05.20
Council crackdown to see fines issued for car idling
Lambeth Council has announced it will start issuing fines to drivers who leave they engine running whilst stationary.
A £20 fine has been introduced by the local authority to crack down on harmful car idling, as well as the launch of a new awareness campaign aimed at improving air quality across the borough.
Leaving the engine running on a car whilst it is not in motion releases exhaust fumes that contain toxic gasses. The harmful particles contribute to poor air quality and pose a risk to public health including stunting the growth of children’s lungs and an increased risk to people with respiratory illnesses.
The new policy will be adopted on May 18, from which point on drivers will be asked to turn off their engines and fines will be issued in the event of non-compliance.
Cllr Claire Holland, Lambeth’s Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment & Clean Air), said:
“Cleaning up toxic air is an absolute priority for this council.
“Poor air quality is a huge health risk to our residents, and engine idling is a major contributor. We are determined to tackle the issue and are confident these new measures will help encourage people to change their behaviour so that everyone in Lambeth – particularly young children due to the effects on their development – is able to breathe clean air.”
Outside schools, hospitals, taxi ranks and coach bays have been identified by the Council as ‘hotspots’ for engine idling offences.
The announcement supports a number of other measures to improve the air quality in Lambeth such as plans to install over 200 new electric vehicle charging points with 140 installed so far, Ultra-Low Emission Zones and a multi-million pounds Transport for London Liveable Neighbourhood Grant to protect local neighbourhoods from car traffic and air pollution.