Charity calls for outright ban on engine idling outside schools

A leading health charity has found that almost three-quarters of parents would support a ban on engine idling while outside of the school gates.

Asthma + Lung UK is calling for better enforcement of vehicle idling to protect public health and the environment.

Polling of 1,000 people showed that 73% want an idling ban enforced outside of schools.

It is already an offence to leave the car running when stationary - but charity says the rules are rarely enforced by local councils despite high levels of complaints.

Calls for idling ban

Jimmy Prentice, a teacher at St Patrick’s Primary School right next to the M8 motorway, said: "Children feel the impact which vehicle pollution has on their health.

"We have had pupils complain to staff saying: “we deserve to breathe clean air” and “a cleaner environment is a better place to learn.”

"We educate our pupils about the importance of playing their part in looking after the environment, but the wider school community can also act as good role models by turning off their engines while waiting outside schools to help keep our air clean and our children’s environment healthier.”

"Many city schools are already close to busy roads where air pollution is high and fumes from idling engines compound that pollution further undermining the safety and rights of children and young people."

'Invisible danger'

Gillian MacDonald from Glasgow has a seven year old daughter Ailith.

She said: “As a parent, I’m really worried about what my kids might be breathing in, especially because you can’t always see the pollutants in the air.

“It’s scary knowing there’s this invisible danger around their school, but we do know how to reduce it.

"Just turning off our engines while waiting can make a big difference in protecting their lungs. It’s something so simple, but it can help keep our children safe from harm we might not always notice.”

'They're walking into a sea of exhausts'

Leanne McGuire, chairperson of Glasgow City Parents Group (GCPG) said: “When I have to pick up my daughter from school, all you see is pavement parking with the engine running.

"You have children and young people coming out, and from the second they leave the main gate, they're walking into a sea of exhausts.

"You can smell the exhaust fumes as the cars are waiting to get moving - think of our children, and how they're breathing in these harmful pollutants every day.

"School should be a safe place, not just physically, but also for their health.

“We believe that switching off your engine is a simple step that doesn't add any time or hassle to your journey but has a huge impact on the air our children breathe.

"By taking this small action, we can significantly reduce the risks that vehicle emissions pose to young, developing lungs and ensure a healthier environment for our children to grow and thrive.”

'Dangerous toxins'

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said: “It is vitally important that we protect the lungs and health of our children.

"No one should be forced to breathe in dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter which make up exhaust emissions from cars.

“It is a common myth that stopping a car engine, only to restart it a minute or two later, causes more pollution than idling. It doesn’t.

"We can all do our bit by turning off our car engines especially when we are near a school.

“Leaving your car engine running for no reason is illegal already but the by-laws are not enforced.

"It is a public nuisance that harms the lungs and health of children and other vulnerable groups and adding to pollution on streets across Scotland."

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