Engine off. Every stop.

Idling Action London, jointly led by City of London Corporation and Camden Council, is a Mayor’s Air Quality Fund project that sees 30 local authorities and City of London Corporation working together to tackle engine idling as a source of avoidable air pollution. 

Idling vehicles produce avoidable pollution contributing to London’s air quality health crisis. Poor air quality is the biggest environmental risk for health and has been proven to contribute to asthma, lung disease, heart disease, restricted lung development in the young and more, costing the NHS and the economy billions every year. It is estimated that every year up to 4,000 Londoners die prematurely from long-term exposure to air pollution.

‘Engine Off Every Stop.’ gives London’s drivers a clear action to safeguard personal and public health.  Switching off is the easiest way to minimise unnecessary pollution. With a basic change in behaviour, drivers in Kingston can make a big difference to our air quality.

Kingston Council are undertaking the following actions to reduce engine idling in the borough: 

• Waste and recycling crew anti-idling training
• Placing ‘No idling’ signs at idling hotspots across the borough
• Investigating complaints of idling
• Promoting anti-engine idling workshops in schools
• Engaging with local businesses and fleet operators

Councillor Hilary Gander, Portfolio Holder, Environment and Sustainable Transport said,

“It’s really important that drivers in Kingston don’t idle their engines. An idling van or family car produces 420 litres of exhaust fumes per minute which has a major impact on local air quality and the health of residents. It’s important to remember that idling engines also harm motorists as air pollution and particulate matter becomes trapped in vehicle interiors. The best thing for everyone is to turn your engine off. Every time you stop.”

Find out more about Idling Action London project and how you can make a positive difference to air quality: www.idlingaction.london