Motorists in North London are being warned that sitting in stationary vehicles with the engine running to use air conditioning during the current heatwave could result in fines of up to £110. Islington Council confirmed that its enforcement officers issue £110 penalties to drivers who refuse to switch off an idling engine when asked.
Standard penalties and local variations
The standard penalty for idling is £40 if issued by a police officer, or £80 from a civil enforcement officer, with both reduced by half if paid promptly. However, some local councils have the authority to impose steeper fines. Islington Council in North London has set its penalty at £110 for non-compliance.
RAC warning on air pollution
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: "Air conditioning is a gamechanger in modern vehicles, making otherwise uncomfortable journeys by road a genuinely pleasant experience. We even advise those driving vehicles without air-con to consider delaying any non-essential trips this week until the heatwave passes." He added: "But while we're all desperate to stay cool, just sitting in the car with the engine and air-conditioning running and going nowhere isn't advisable. Due to the air pollution this causes, you risk a fine from a police or civil enforcement officer."
Government proposals on idling
In 2019, the Conservative government announced proposals to introduce heftier fines for drivers who idle, though these plans never came to fruition. Lord Chris Grayling, then-transport secretary, stated at the time that tackling idling would be "an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution".
