Drivers who repeatedly leave their car engine running while parked could be given instant fines under proposals being considered by the government to give councils stronger powers to tackle pollution from idling vehicles. Michael Gove, the environment secretary, is supporting Westminster city council’s call to be given the power to fine drivers without warning if they have previously been caught with an idling engine. At present officers issue a fine if the driver ignores a warning and continues to idle for at least a minute. The fine is £20 or £80 depending on which regulations the authority uses to enforce the law. The Times Clean Air for All campaign is calling for a new Clean Air Act and other specific measures, including a traffic
Drivers who repeatedly found keeping their car engine running while parked could receive instant fines under new UK government proposals to give councils greater powers to tackle pollution. The plans are backed by environment secretary Michael Gove. Under the proposals, which will be debated in parliament on Wednesday, local authorities would have a duty to keep vehicles off roads if they were not being used for commercial purposes. The Clean Air for All campaign is calling for a new Clean Air Act and measures including traffic bans outside schools and a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.