Broxbourne Council staff are targeting vehicle idling to improve air quality outside local school, as part of Clean Air Day.
On Thursday 18 June, members of the Council’s Environmental Health Team will be stationed outside schools around the Borough, educating motorists about the effects of leaving their engine running while stationary.
Clean Air Day is a national initiative coordinated by Global Action Plan, bringing together local authorities, businesses and communities across the country to take action on air pollution and raise public awareness of its impact.
The team will share information about how idling exposes pedestrians, particularly children, to harmful pollutants, as well as costing drivers money in wasted fuel and unnecessary mechanical wear.
In the morning, officers will be stationed at Saint Catherine's Church of England Primary School in Hoddesdon. In the afternoon, they will move to Burleigh Primary School in Cheshunt.
While officers have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for idling, the focus on the day will be on education and changing behaviour rather than enforcement.
Councillor Jim Clune, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said:
Educating motorists about the impact of vehicle idling is critical to achieving our Borough’s air quality objectives.
We recognise that vehicle emissions are one of the main sources of air pollution in our Borough. If we can encourage drivers to switch their engines off while stationary, we can reduce air pollution in our public spaces.
To learn more, visit the Clean Air Day website.