CHESHIRE West and Chester Council is again asking motorists to switch off their engines when parked to help lower emissions.

'Be a Breath of Fresh Air' is part of the council's Air Aware campaign, and aims to prevent emissions affecting air quality across the borough.

CWAC i

ntroduced £20 fines for motorists

who do not switch off their engine while their vehicle is stationary when asked to do so by an authorised officer back in January.

If that fee is not paid after 28 days, the penalty doubles to £40.

The plans are part of the Low Emission Strategy, approved by cabinet in September last year.

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Karen Shore, said: “Vehicle emissions are the most significant source of air pollution in the borough and something we can all help to reduce.

“As well as wasting fuel and money, unnecessary engine idling means harmful vehicle pollution is released into the atmosphere, which is bad for the environment and all our health.

“Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It particularly affects the most vulnerable in society, including children and older people, especially those with heart and lung conditions.

"Additionally air pollution is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer.”

CWAC adopted the power to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers who do not switch off their idling engine when asked to do so by an authorised officer earlier this year.

This applies primarily to vehicles that are stationary on the roadside, or at bus stops, and doesn’t apply to vehicles waiting at traffic lights, road junctions or zebra crossings.

In council car parks, it is already against traffic regulations to allow a vehicle to idle unnecessarily, and a penalty charge notice can be issued to the driver.

The council's advice is: "If you’re parked, please switch off your engine."

World Environment Day is a UN initiative introduced in the 1970s.

See more on the

low emissions strategy website