Wandsworth extends anti-idling campaign

A campaign to tackle air pollution in the Wandsworth borough of London has continued with drivers in Tooting encouraged not to leave car engines idling.

Wandsworth is one of 15 local authorities to take part in the Vehicle Idling Action Campaign, which began in November 2016, with support from the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund (see airqualitynews.com story).

Anti idling campaigner in Tooting (Picture: Robert Piwko)

As part of the campaign, the borough’s network of volunteer Air Quality Champions help spread the message about the amount of pollution caused by idling engines and the impact on local air quality.

The campaign includes actions to target parents who park outside schools and leave engines running while they wait to pick up their children.

Last week officers and Air Quality Champions went to Smallwood School in Tooting where a special assembly was given to more than 200 school pupils. Student councillors also played a giant air quality-themed games of snakes and ladders in the playground to help drive the message home.

Training

Training was provided to air quality champions on the impact of vehicle idling on air quality and afterwards at pick-up time the champions spoke to parents at Smallwood and nearby Broadwater Primary schools, as well as to drivers in Tooting High Street.

In total they engaged with 48 people on how everyone can contribute to improving air quality by turning off their engines while they are waiting or parked.