Frustration is rising about the lack of fines and enforcement powers to punish drivers who unnecessarily idle their cars in Reading.
Although idling – leaving the car engine running while the vehicle is not moving – sometimes cannot be avoided, there are cases where cars are left ticking over, causing sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide to be emitted into the atmosphere.
Councillors across the council chamber have expressed frustration as no fines have been issued over the past three years.
The issue was raised by Cllr Rob White (Green, Park), the leader of the opposition, who said the emissions are worsening health problems.
Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) replied: “Unfortunately, the current national legislation in respect of vehicle idling is weak, requiring officers to first ask drivers to turn off their engines.
“Only if the driver refuses can a fixed penalty notice be issued.
“The practical implication of this is that drivers can idle with impunity provided they then turn their engine off when asked.”
Cllr Page added that enforcement against idling would require regular patrols from enforcement officers. However, he said there was no resource for such a measure.
Fines for idling were introduced in the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002.
Cllr Page continued: “Idling is part of a bigger issue, and we are presently bidding for funding via Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)’s air quality grant to carry out a wider air quality awareness raising and behaviour change campaign.
“This includes vehicle idling, and other educational initiatives to improve knowledge and decision making, promote mode change and active travel.”
The council’s ‘draft air quality action plan’ is awaiting final approval, with a campaign due to launch to promote enhanced air quality once funding becomes available.
DEFRA is currently accepting bids for its air quality grant scheme for 2022 to 2023.
No figures for how many people had been issued penalty notices for idling were given.
Cllr White told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he has been left with the assumption that no fines have been issued over the past three years.
The exchange occurred at the council’s traffic management sub-committee on Wednesday, September 14.
