Richmond upon Thames (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Richmond Council seeks public input on a proposed trial to curb engine idling and improve air quality through stronger enforcement measures.
This week marks the start of the consultation, which is a part of the council’s ambitious and continuous plan to improve Richmond upon Thames‘s air quality.
If the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is put into effect, authorized officers will have the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to drivers who neglect to turn off their engines while they are waiting or parked.
Officers can currently only issue a Fixed Penalty Notice in response to a driver’s refusal to stop idling when requested to do so.
Because of this, despite officers ordering drivers to stop idling more than 65,000 times in the last six years, only one punishment has been issued. Drivers are not very motivated to alter their behavior if they are not actually in danger of being fined.
Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of Richmond’s Transport and Air Quality Services Committee, said:
“We’ve made significant strides in improving air quality in Richmond, but we know there’s more to do. Engine idling is a needless source of pollution, especially harmful to children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions.
This proposed PSPO sends a clear message: clean air matters, and we’re prepared to act. I urge residents to take part in the consultation and help shape a healthier future for our borough.”
The plan expands upon Richmond’s successful Air Quality Action Plan 2024–2029, which earlier this year won the Fleet Vision International Awards’ “Air Quality Strategy of the Year” title.
Cutting engine idling close to schools and level crossings is one of the strategy’s most ambitious goals, which are in line with WHO guidelines.
What are the key aspects of the proposal?
The council is considering introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle engine idling, which would allow for fines of up to £100 for offenders. Current legislation against idling is viewed as outdated and difficult to enforce since it relies largely on driver compliance and requires detailed monitoring before fines can be issued.
Richmond Council has made around 10,000 interventions annually regarding idling but has issued only one fine to date, indicating low enforcement efficacy under existing laws.
The proposed PSPO would provide clearer enforcement powers, allowing civil enforcement officers to issue fines more effectively, drawing inspiration from similar successful schemes like that in the London Borough of Hillingdon, which issued thousands of fines.