Our mission is:
Reducing air pollution from vehicle idling by raising awareness of the health impacts
Raising awareness about the impacts of idling
Leaving engines running while stationary for longer than a minute is known as ‘idling’. Idling is nearly always unnecessary and it’s a source of air pollution.
Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to health. Research by Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London estimated it contributed to around 4,000 early deaths in 2019 in London. It has been proven to cause illnesses ranging in severity from eczema and itchy eyes, through to cancer and lung disease.
Air pollution can affect us at all stages of our lives. But it is a particular concern for child health, as it can affect lung growth and limit lung capacity. In fact, research conducted through a major study (the EXHALE project by King’s College London) found that the lung capacity of 8- and 9-year-olds in Tower Hamlets is 5% lower than the national average.
Spreading the message across London
Idling Action London is a London-wide behaviour change campaign which is helping to reduce localised air pollution caused by motorists leaving their engines running when parked.
The project involves 31 local authorities and is jointly led by City of London Corporation and London Borough of Camden. Until 31st March 2022, teams of volunteers, local authority officers and project staff delivered idling action events to educate both motorists and pedestrians. We also delivered school workshops, engaged with businesses, offered vehicle fleet training, and worked with all local authorities to ensure idling regulations are enforced across London. The work was funded by the Mayor of London through the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund.
The project is now in it’s legacy phase with all boroughs continuing to work together to tackle idling.
Encouraging drivers to switch off
Encouraging people to switch off by educating them about the health impacts of air pollution, and explaining why it is good to switch your engine off, are simple ways to instantly reduce vehicle emissions in London.
Idling enforcement
Under Regulation 98 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, it is an offence to leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a road.