Congleton: are you guilty of idling?

Cheshire East is to consider how it can crack down on drivers who leave their engines running while parked – especially parents waiting outside schools for their children.

It will be a long process, with no new decisions being made as of yet.

Councillors are concerned on the impact of car idling on air quality and health. And are hoping to go beyond the measures of promoting Clean Air Day in Congleton once a year.

Dane Valley councillor Les Gilbert (Con) told Wednesday's meeting of the full council that Central Bedfordshire Council had recently adopted new legal powers whereby people could be fined if they left their engines running while parked.

The Bedfordshire council said the aim is to improve air quality and support its sustainability plan.

Cllr Gilbert said: "Such a scheme could potentially support our air quality management areas.

"Another example might be around schools where parents can frequently be seen sitting in cars with their engines running while they wait for the children.

"If the leader is really serious about tackling climate change, will he commit to arranging for officers to bring forward a similar scheme for Cheshire East?"

Cheshire East leader Sam Corcoran (Sandbach Heath, Lab) said he had looked at the issue of cars idling and other councils that had adopted this policy had issued very few penalty notices so therefore enforcement would have to be considered.

He said the impact on health was even more of a concern than climate change.

"The exhaust emissions, particularly from diesel cars, can be harmful to health and particularly where you see people running a diesel engine car outside a primary school when they're waiting to collect children," said the council leader.

"I think that does need to be addressed. I would welcome a discussion over how best to address that.

"I'm not convinced that bringing in new rules is the best way of doing it, but I think that would be possibly an item that could be discussed at the environment and communities committee, where good ideas could be put forward about how it could be enforced."

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See also: Full investigation demanded for replacement tip in Congleton.

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