Idling engines targeted
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• Lorry drivers who leave their engines idling during deliveries look set to be fined following a joint local and central Government move for clean air.
Penalties of around 260 could be imposed by the end of next year if, as expected, ministers introduce an offence outlawing waiting vehicles from having their engines running for more than a few minutes.
A Department of Transport-led working party looking into the role local authorities can play in reducing roadside emissions is to recommend the scheme to ministers soon. The group will also argue that local authority officers should be involved in urban traffic stops aimed at fining the owners of vehicles which break MoT and annual test emissions standards.
Although few prosecutions are expected, local Government sources believe outlawing engine idling will drastically reduce its occurrence.
Levies from both fines areb expected to be paid into local Government coffers to enable councils to purchase police time directly from their local forces. By low only uniformed police officers are empowered to pull over traffic, if ministers accept the working party's recommendations, the group will continue to work on refining ideas in January,