Fines for idling vehicles to increase to £80 in central London

Drivers who leave their engines on when parked could be fined up to £80 under new powers approved by the City of London Corporation today (March 9).

The Planning and Transportation Committee has backed an improved approach to the problem of idling by increasing the maximum fine to £80, it had previously been limited under the Environment Act to £20 if paid on time. 

The project is funded by the Mayor of London’s air quality fund and it will see officers from 32 London authorities joining together to target idling engine drivers.

The officers will initially issue warning notices to drivers, with the prospect of an £80 fine for non-compliance. 

The city corporation will also lobby the Department for Transport for new signs to be installed across the city to educate drivers on this restriction. 

Alistair Moss, chair of the city corporation’s planning and transportation committee said: ‘The introduction of this new traffic management order will help us to tackle idling vehicles in the Square Mile and the associated emissions.

‘Air quality is a key consideration for the City and ensuring drivers turn off their vehicles while parked is a simple way to quickly minimise pollution.

‘The decision shows our commitment to place air quality at the heart of our plans to make the City’s streets more enjoyable for residents, workers and visitors.’

Jeremy Simons, chair of the city corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said: ‘These new powers will take us a step closer to eliminating a completely unnecessary source of air pollution.

‘Air quality in the City is improving, and by working with drivers, we will continue our progress.

‘Cleaning up toxic air is an absolute priority. Londoners are determined to see a major improvement, and we will continue to take effective steps to make this a reality.’

In related news, an Air Quality News investigation revealed that between the five councils who were actively fining motorists for idling throughout 2018, only a handful of fines were actually issued.

This raised the question over how effective council strategies are when it comes to vehicle idling, with air quality campaigners calling the current system of enforcement ‘not fit for purpose’.

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