Who will be fined? Perth and Kinross engine idling rules explained as policy set to start

Full details of a new Perth and Kinross Council policy on engine idling have been revealed.

The policy, which means people are not allowed to sit with their engines running without reason, is designed to help tackle climate change and increase air quality in urban areas.

It was approved by the council last March, however it has gone unenforced so far due to a lack of staff training.

When will enforcement on engine idling start?

Perth and Kinross Council has confirmed the policy will come into force on March 1 2023.

This will mean parking attendants will be monitoring vehicles for idling – with a special focus on high-pollution areas such as Perth city centre and Crieff High Street.

According to the local authority, drivers will first be asked to turn off their engines, with parking attendants trained to explain the policy and encourage compliance before issuing a fine if the engine remains on.

How much can drivers be fined?

A fixed penalty notice of £20 will be issued to any driver who refuses to turn off their engine.

If the £20 fee is not paid within 28 days, it will be doubled to £40.

Are there any exemptions?

According to the council, exemptions will be made in certain cases, such as when drivers are defrosting a windscreen or keeping passengers warm on a cold day.

What is the purpose of the engine idling policy?

Andrew Parrot, convener of environment, infrastructure and economic development at Perth and Kinross Council, says the policy is designed to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions – and “is not about penalising drivers”.

He said: “I really hope we do not have to issue many fixed penalty notices.

“Taking that very small step and switching off when your vehicle has stopped, whether this is a car, van, lorry or bus, contributes to cleaner air for everyone and can also save motorists money.”

Climate change and sustainability convener Richard Watters said: “We can all do our bit to help ‘ease the wheeze’ and make a positive choice for our environment.

“The approach we are taking is to educate the driving public and encourage them to switch off when they’re stationary.”

More information on the council’s anti-idling policy will be posted to its website in the near future.