Today, for World Environment Day, Liberal Democrat Climate Change
spokesperson is tabling a bill to give
local authorities more powers to issue fines to idling vehicles.
The Bill will increase penalties for stationary vehicle idling
offences, as well as increasing fines for those who repeatedly
offend.
World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging
worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. This
year the focus is on tackling air pollution.
Speaking ahead of tabling her bill, said:
"For far too long this Conservative Government has failed to take
air pollution seriously. They have lost numerous court cases over
their inability to tackle the toxic fumes that Britain breathes
every day. Liberal Democrats demand better.
"This is a major crisis, with emissions from vehicles responsible
for a myriad of health problems, many terminal. Research shows
that 800,000 people die every year across Europe due to air
pollution.
"Yet the Conservative Government do nothing.
"The legislation that I have tabled is crucial step in tackling
our air pollution crisis. It will allow local authorities to
clamp down on idling without the need to apply to the Government
first, and it will enable them to increase fines on repeat
offenders.
"We must do more to tackle both the climate emergency and the air
pollution crisis. The Tories must stop wilfully ignoring the
problem and back my Bill."
ENDS
The titles of the Bill are below:
Vehicle Emissions (Idling Penalties) Bill
A Bill to increase penalties for stationary vehicle idling
offences; to grant local authorities increased powers to issue
such penalties; and for connected purposes.
