Nickie Aiken, MP for the Cities of London & Westminster today called on the Government to increase fines to drivers caught idling their engine.
A single minute of idling creates 9 litres of CO2 for cars and around 15 litres for vans, and during her time as Leader of Westminster City Council, Nickie launched the #DontBeIdle campaign, to put an end to idling engines across Westminster.
Building on the success of that campaign, Nickie called for the Government to increase fines from the current £80, to ensure an effective deterrent, and improve London's air quality.
In the House of Commons Chamber, Nickie said,
"Improving our air quality is a major priority for my constituents. Both they and I remain very concerned about the ongoing number of drivers who continue to idle their vehicles when parked at the kerbside. A single minute of idling an engine of a car creates 9 litres of CO2. Unfortunately, regulation 98 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 does not adequately equip local authorities with the power they need to deter repeat engine idlers, only with an £80 fine.
With that in mind, does my hon. Friend agree that we should now be considering increasing fines for drivers who continue to idle their engines, making it a genuine effective deterrent?"
Minister for Aviation & Maritime, Robert Courts MP replied,
"I know that my hon. Friend is a passionate campaigner on this issue and I completely agree that it is vital that we take action. Ultimately, it will be better technology, such as stop-start and zero-emission vehicles that will solve the issue. The UK is a global leader in the development and the manufacture of electric vehicles and we will continue to work to foster that position."
