In an attempt to cut pollution in the city of Oxford, the City Council will be enforcing fines for motorists who leave their engines running unnecessarily.
The new policy could see drivers paying up to £40 for ‘engine idling’ if they refuse to turn off their engines when prompted by city council enforcers.
Another unnecessary penalty for beleaguered motorists in the region or a good way to reduce fumes in our towns or cities? We want to know you think – email us your views.
Watch the latest news report on the car fines.
Click here to visit the UK National Air Quality artchive and see how pollution is currently affecting the South East.
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I think it is a licence to print money, and it is due to the failure of the Labour government who are trying to claw money back
EL Jones
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I am all for the ban but do the council intend to address all of the traffic problems and roadworks which cause 100% more pollution and who's [sic] owners have to sit (unnecessarily) in traffic jams everyday. If the council address these problems then perhaps we would cut traffic pollution substantially rather than the few car owners who run their engines unnecessarily. In addition, do they intend to make the bus drivers turn their engines off at bus stops when a number of people get on and taxi's waiting to pick passengers up?
Andrea Gaynor
Reading, Berkshire
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The proposal to fine, via fixed penalty tickets, drivers who leave their engines running is ill thought out & has been carried out without any consultation whatsoever with representatives of those working in public transport in Oxford.
I represent Oxford's black cab drivers, whilst we are all concerned at pollution levels in the city, my members often have to wait on cab ranks for up to an hour between fares, at times in sub-zero temperatures & all too often in temperatures well below that 'expected' as a right by those empowered to make these decisions in council chambers.
If the temperature inside city council premises were set below a certain level, councillors and officers alike would probably go home & refuse to work, my cab drivers can’t do that, why do those same decision makers intend to make it an offence for cab & bus drivers to keep their own working environment warm & comfortable?
Alan Woodward
Secretary
City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association
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It’s the roads which are the problem, it’s all very well being penalised but Abingdon council should sort the roads out. “you can’t move anywhere during the day”
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I am not sure of the complete context of the article, but if drivers are held up at traffic lights and junctions because the council is unwilling or unable to smooth out the traffic flow, then it is very much a mad idea which can only have the effect of alienating the majority of sensible drivers and driving them out of the city centre. Maybe the Chamber of Commerce will have a view on that?
If this is because drivers are leaving their engines running in the morning to demist the car and warm up their electrically heated armchairs, then please note it is a criminal offence to leave a vehicle attended with the engine running, and the matter should be referred to the Police, and not another set of Traffic Wardens or similar set of council employees.
David Thomas
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