Since the start of lockdown, a lot of Sturry area residents have commented on the improvement in air quality. With less vehicles waiting at Sturry crossing and no tailbacks from the road into Canterbury, residents have been breathing more easily.
This, however, is beginning to change as more vehicles resume their daily journeys. Despite the city council’s initiative in putting up signs near the crossing, many vehicles have left their motors running while waiting . The delays can easily be five minutes or more. According to one American environmental website ‘For every 10 minutes your engine is off, you’ll prevent one pound of carbon dioxide from being released’.
Canterbury city council issued a report in 2019, outlining measures to improve air quality.
Canterbury_ASR_2019__1_-1On page 55 there is mention of work to reduce delays at Sturry Crossing and to investigate the use of trackside detectors. This is put at a cost of £10,000 and has been handed on to Network Rail. The time of possible implementation? 2023!
No rush, then?
Meanwhile, if you would like to download an A4 poster for your window/fence or where ever to remind drivers to do the right thing, please right click on the image below and download it.
Can I get a fine for idling?
From the RAC website: The issue of engines not being switched off when vehicles are parked is, unbeknownst to many, already an offence.
Rule 123 of The Highway Code looks at ‘The Driver and the Environment’, stating that drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.
Local authorities have the power to issue £20 fixed penalties for emission offences and stationary idling under The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.
However, it is important to note that this is imposed only if a motorist refuses to switch off their engine off when asked to do so by an authorised person.
Take action
This year, Clean Air Day is October 8.
If you want to find out more, please click here.
