New campaign to stop idling vehicles

A new London-wide campaign has launched today (August 3rd) to encourage businesses to tackle air pollution caused by idling engines. 

The Idling Action #enginesoff campaign is asking firms to pledge that their fleet drivers and other employees will not leave their engines on when parked. 

The campaign is offering London drivers free training and providing a toolkit of resources to businesses, whose operations involve vehicle fleets, professional drivers, or employees who travel by car to work. 

The group wants to provide companies with the knowledge of how best to reduce air pollution caused by vehicles to protect the health of drivers and the public. 

Keith Bottomley, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said: ‘64,000 people die prematurely every year in the UK from breathing polluted air.

‘Switching off the engine when your vehicle is parked is more important now than ever before.

‘As we learn more about the harmful effects of COVID-19 on the lungs, we are making a particular plea to London’s businesses to play their part in ridding the capital of toxic air and saving lives.’

Deputy mayor for environment and energy Shirley Rodrigues said: ‘City Hall is happy to support this important pan-London campaign to tackle engine idling.

‘Through the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, we have helped businesses to cut air pollution through Business Low Emission Neighbourhoods and other local schemes, reducing pollution, supporting cleaner vehicles and greener forms of transport. Encouraging businesses to take the #EnginesOff pledge will build on this.

‘As London recovers from COVID-19, it’s vital that businesses and other drivers in the capital consider the health of others and take this a simple but vital step towards cutting air pollution.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay