Don't be idle about change

I live on Kelham Road and frequently walk into the town centre and back home again.

Very often I am caught by the railway barriers on the Great North Road and have to wait with many other pedestrians until they open again.

I have noticed that very few motorists switch off their engines during this waiting time, which can be in excess of 10 minutes.

Please could drivers be aware that leaving your engine running, or 'idling' increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air.

Every minute, an idling car produces enough toxic exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons.

These toxic gases, which include particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, are linked to: asthma, lung disease, cancer, dementia, stroke, miscarriage, low birth weight etc. Drivers should also be aware that they are also exposed to these toxic gases as many car filtration systems cannot remove nitrogen dioxide or PM2.5s

Given the number of cars and the frequency these hold ups occur, it is also really terrible for the environment. I have written to the council to ask for posters to be put up to encourage people to switch their engines off whilst stationary, and I have also suggested that these should be displayed on roads close to local schools.

Cars have been designed and equipped with stop start technology for many years now, it makes economic, and environmental sense to use it, particularly in these long waiting periods — Nick Roulstone, via email