Idling Action Events in Hounslow
28 February 2020
The Idling Action project, led by the City of London Corporation and Camden Council, sees Hounslow join forces with the other 31 London authorities in a bid to cut dangerous vehicle emissions. Earlier this week, Oriel Academy in Hanworth and Worple Primary in Isleworth took part in workshops and idling action events to kick-start this year's events and raise awareness for the campaign. Children learnt about pollution and its effects before measuring particulates around their school using a handheld sensor. They designed their own anti-idling campaign materials which will be used to create a banner to be displayed outside the school gates.
Officers from the London Borough of Hounslow, air quality volunteers and pupils from local schools, spoke with drivers about the harmful effects caused by vehicle emissions – and asked them to turn their engines off when stationary. Drivers were given information leaflets to help them understand their role in making the air we breathe healthier for all Londoners.
All participating boroughs are now required to adopt idling enforcement procedures if they have not already done so – and drivers face on the spot fines if they don’t turn off their engines when asked. In Hounslow, the charge to the motorist is £60, but if this is paid within 14 days it is reduced to £30. It applies to any driver of a motor vehicle parked on the highway who refuses to switch off their engine when asked by a Civil Enforcement Officer. The project, funded by the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund, will also see Hounslow and the other boroughs teaming up to run air pollution anti-idling workshops with schools, engage with businesses and deliver training to fleet managers and drivers about air pollution. If your school is interested in participating in the workshop and action events or you have a business interested in fleet training, please contact [email protected]
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency at Hounslow Council said: “As someone who cycles regularly in the borough, I am very aware of motorists leaving cars running while in traffic jams, parked or just waiting outside the school gates for their children. I am therefore delighted that pupils from two of our schools are helping educate motorists about pollution and its consequences. This action complements enforcement measures introduced by the council last year, which allow us to issue fines to motorists who leave their engines idling. I congratulate the Vehicle Idling Action group who are fronting this campaign and will do everything I can in my capacity as Lead Member for Air Quality and the Climate Emergency to improve the situation here in Hounslow.”
Deputy Mayor for Environment, Shirley Rodrigues, said: “Toxic air in London is a health emergency that requires bold action and the Mayor and I are determined to help every Londoner breathe cleaner air. The Mayor is proud to have funded this first ever city-wide initiative to stamp out engine idling on London’s streets. In Hounslow and across the capital, it will make a real difference cleaning up our polluted air.”
