Idling Action air quality project seeking volunteers in Waltham Forest

[IdlingAction]

Hi mums of Waltham Forest,

Apologies for the sudden appearance on your board but we are trying to spread the word about a project which is underway in London aiming to improve air quality by tackling unnecessary engine idling in the capital. I hope it's OK to post this request here.

We are looking for volunteers who are keen to help improve air quality in Waltham Forest. 15 boroughs in London taking part in this initiative which is funded by the Mayor of London and supported by Transport for London.

At the events, pairs of volunteers hit the streets in order to engage with drivers who leave their engine idling when it’s unnecessary to do so. Many drivers simply do not realise that idling is bad for air pollution and our approach of positive and constructive engagement has achieved an excellent success rate. The vast majority of drivers are very willing to switch off when encouraged to do so, and pledge not to idle in the future.

Our local Air Quality Champions will receive training prior to the event, learning about air pollution and its impacts on health and the approach that we use when talking to drivers. Volunteers will be given tips on how to be persuasive in a short amount of time, and how to respond to drivers’ possible reasons for idling.

More information about the project can be found on the idlingaction.london website and to get involved in activities in your borough, please check out the volunteer pages on our website and fill out the volunteer form and someone will get back to you.

If you have any questions please post them here or email volunteers[at]idlingaction.london.

Thanks for your time!

The Idling Action Team

Hi there. I'm a local, and have friends involved in this project.

Now I'm so aware of the horror of idling, it makes my teeth itch when I see drivers doing it. But I'm a bit scared of approaching them in case they bite my head off, tell me to mind my own business, or worse...

Do you have any tried and tested opening gambits that will end up with the driver realising the error of their ways, rather than punching me in the face?

Hi Herbaceous,

There are a few elements to our approach that help with this. Firstly we always go around in pairs, secondly our volunteers wear high viz jackets, which helps a lot, and thirdly we go for a very positive engagement approach.

Awareness of the problems associated with bad air quality has shot up the agenda and into peoples' consciousness and it's now largely a case of highlighting to drivers that their unconscious behaviour is contributing to the problem. When this happens in a constructive and positive way, the vast majority respond very positively.

In 60-odd Idling Action events over the last year we didn't encounter any form of aggression. A small number of drivers have given our volunteers short shrift and refused to switch off and there's only so far you can go in trying to persuade them otherwise before you just have to hold your hands up and move on. Some people are stubborn and it'll take other approaches to change their ways, so it's better just to move along and engage with people who will listen.