Bridgwater Town Councillors  Glen Burrows (Eastover) and Kathy Pearce (Westover) have been out around town this week promoting some new car stickers and leaflets, produced by Bridgwater Town Council following an initiative by Bridgwater Town Transport Forum, encouraging drivers to switch off their engines when their vehicle is stationary. Cllr Glen Burrows, Chair of the Forum, says “A 2019 report linked 40,000 deaths each year to air pollution, and engine idling contributes to these deaths, by increasing exhaust fumes in the atmosphere. Exhaust fumes contain carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons – all poisonous pollutants. In Bridgwater town centre, on streets such as High Street, Eastover and St John Street, shop-keepers spend all day breathing in pollution from idling engines. We need to persuade motorists to stop this practice.”

Cllr Burrows continues “Much better if we can raise awareness of the problem and persuade
drivers to co-operate, rather than threaten them with fines. We’ve produced car stickers and posters to remind drivers to turn off their engines when stationary, instead of giving more work to police and local authorities in tracking down offenders. “

Cllr Kathy Pearce, who is the Town’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency, adds “Somerset County Council has recently introduced a Climate Emergency Strategy, which aims to make Somerset a Carbon Neutral County by 2030. An end to engine idling would help towards making this a reality – please help all you can. Engine idling is already an offence in the UK and drivers can face fines if caught.”

Car stickers and posters are available at Bridgwater Town Hall, or contact: cllrburrows@bridgwater-tc.gov.uk