By Sam Greenway
Copyright birminghammail
Fines and educational campaigns are set to be used in a bid to stop parents waiting outside schools with their car engines running. For months Solihull councillors have looked at how best to deal with the issue after a petition was handed in demanding action. One option, dedicated officers issuing fines through a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), was rejected by councillors. READ MORE: Appeal against Shirley apartment plan thrown out by inspector Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp In May, Coun Max McLoughlin, who brought forward the motion, said education had not tackled the behaviour and called for a PSPO, which can trigger fines of up to £100 and on conviction up to £1,000 in a court. But members of Solihull Council ‘s stronger communities and neighbourhood services scrutiny board were told that move may not be cost-efficient. A report said: “If two civil enforcement officers were redeployed from school gate parking to car idling enforcement duties, the cost to attend each of the 80 schools twice per year, for on average 2.5 hours per day, would be an estimated £22,400 per school year. “There is a high risk that such expenditure would only generate a minimal amount of income from fines.” The board’s chairman Councillor Richard Holt said: “No other local authority seems to be going down that route. “The nature of that legislation has to show a persistent and continuing nature, and it being unreasonable.” Existing legislation allows councils to issue fixed penalty notices of £20 to a driver committing the offence. Coun Laura McCarthy said: “I know there is already the option to enforce, built into law. It isn’t happening as much as we like at the moment because of resources.” Coun Holt said: “I would like to think most parents would co-operate when challenged, by embarrassment switching their engine off. “But for those parents that don’t, are belligerent and continue, we need to consider encouraging the use of a ticket.” Coun Josh O’Nyons said: “I support the issuing of fixed penalty notices for people who ignore the request. Are we able to introduce the traffic management order to increase the penalty to £80?” Paul Tovey, head of highway management at Solihull Council, said officers wanted to try existing enforcement first. On education, Coun Bob Grinswell said: “The use of social media – it’s very simple to put up a poster every so often saying ‘stop idling’. “Regrettably I am a smoker, on a cigarette pack I have a hard warning telling me the dangers. This is the same dangers to these young children, especially little ones that are near to exhausts. “We need a hard-hitting campaign.” Mr Tovey said the authority had run social media campaigns recently. “We certainly want to refresh those, it comes with a budget,” he said. “Our current message is ‘engines off, young lungs at work’.” Coun Keith Green asked: “With the increase of electric vehicles, what is the forecast for the effect this is going to have on idling?” Mr Tovey replied: “ Solihull has a high proportion of electric vehicles at the moment. “We are looking at 2035 to 2040 when you see a significant change in the number of electric vehicles.” Councillors voted in support of using fixed penalty notices and educational campaigns, with the decision sent to cabinet for further consideration. The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, September 10.
