Engine Idling

Please provide responses to the following:

1 – Whether the council maintains records of public complaints or reports of engine idling.

2 – How many reports or complaints about engine idling have been made, broken down monthly from January 2020 to the most recent month in 2025?

3 – The number of fines issued for engine idling offences, broken down monthly for each calendar year from January 2020 to the most recent month in 2025.

4 – The total revenue generated from these fines, also provided as a monthly breakdown for the same period.

5 – The number of verbal or written warnings issued for engine idling, broken down monthly from January 2020 to the most recent month in 2025.

6 – The location or street name/postcode where each fine or warning was issued, if available.

7 – The current fixed penalty amount for engine idling offences.

8 – Whether the council operates any designated ‘anti-idling zones’ (e.g., around schools, hospitals, or town centres). If so, please provide a list of these zones.

9 – Whether the council has a specific enforcement policy or procedure for engine idling (e.g., how long a vehicle must idle before action is taken, whether a warning is required first, what evidence is needed, etc.).

10 – Whether civil enforcement officers or other staff are authorised to issue engine idling fines. If so, how many currently hold this authority?

11 – The minimum idling time required before a fine or warning can be issued (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes).

12 – The number of engine idling fines that have been appealed, cancelled, or remain unpaid, broken down monthly from January 2020 to the most recent month in 2025.

13 – Whether the council has considered or implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) or any similar legal instrument to support engine idling enforcement.

In response to all of the above questions, the council does not issue fines or maintain a policy of enforcement in relation to engine idling.  We therefore do not hold information in relation to the questions asked.  However, we can confirm that we do hold limited information in relation to enquiries held by our Highways department which contain the word “idling”.  This therefore may be a complaint about engine idling. Please see the table below: