Idle threat in school clean air campaign
MOvE TO STOP cAR EngInES BEIng LEfT RUnnIng OUTSIDE THE gATES
SCHOOLS could introduce ‘no idling’ zones that would prevent parents from leaving their car engines running outside the gates, under plans being considered by the council.
Councillors want Manchester town hall chiefs to work with schools to introduce ‘enforceable no vehicle idling zones’ outside every school in the city in a bid to crack down on air pollution. A motion going before next week’s full council meeting calls for at least four school pilot zones to be in place by spring.
It also urges NHS bosses to look at extending existing ‘no vehicle idling’ zones outside medical buildings, in hospital pick-up areas and outside care homes.
If the proposal is approved in next Thursday’s full council meeting, the town hall’s executive could look at the enforcement powers available to local authorities to tackle drivers who leave their engines running while stationary.
Some councils in the country impose fines on drivers who leave their engine idling, and refuse to turn it off when asked. And some London boroughs have gone further - introducing ‘School Streets,’ roads that are closed off to motorists during drop-off and pick-up times - in an attempt to cut down on traffic.
The motion, proposed by Whalley
Range councillor Aftab Razaq, said: “Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, with air pollution estimated to contribute to the equivalent of 181 deaths in Manchester every year.”
The motion said: “Manchester is fully committed to improving the air we all breathe as quickly as possible and fully committed to taking action against catastrophic climate change.”
Proposals by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to charge the most polluting vehicles £100 a day are still expected to go ahead.
Trafford council leader Andrew Western last month said that local authorities needed more government action to help tackle idling engines.
He said: “The government promised a consultation on proposals to impose tougher fines on people who leave their engines running while parked.
“We need this to happen as soon as possible, and we’d like stronger antiidling legislation to be just one part of the package of new local powers promised in the Environment Bill. In the meantime, we’ll work to raise awareness of this important issue through local publicity campaigns.”
Last year, Public Health England proposed a UK-wide ban on cars idling outside school gates in a bid to cut air pollution. The government agency said 28,000 to 36,000 deaths a year in the UK could be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution.