Ealing Council is to launch a crackdown on drivers who keep their engines running while stationary.
During December, drivers who fail to comply after being spoken to by enforcement officers will face a £20 on the spot fine.
The council said it was stepping up action using legislation introduced in 2002 in response to residents’ concerns about air pollution.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: ‘Turning off car engines saves money and reduces pollution and I would like drivers to give more thought to the poisons they are pumping out into the atmosphere unnecessarily.
‘I despair when I see cabbies and van drivers stopped with their engines running. Contrary to popular belief vehicle engines don’t need to be warmed up and restarting engines does not use more fuel or create extra wear and tear, so there’s no reason why they can’t just be turned off. Idling engines can produce twice as many emissions as the engine of a moving car so it’s crucial that we get this message across, especially in areas like Horn Lane where pollution levels have reached dangerous levels in the past.
‘Our officers will be approaching drivers of cars, buses, taxis, vans and trucks to remind them to switch their engines off. If they don’t comply, we will be issuing on the spot fines. No excuses.’
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council chair of London Council’s transport and environment committee, said: ‘We intend to take a common-sense approach to this enforcement, so we won’t be ticketing people waiting at red lights.
‘However, if you find yourself stopped in a queue of traffic for several minutes, or if you are unloading or waiting to pick someone up do yourself, and everyone, else a favour and turn your engine off. If you don’t, we will be issuing a fine.’
