THE council is cracking down on idling drivers today.

As a part of Clean Air Day today, (June 20), Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) officers and volunteers will be hitting the streets on the national awareness day in a bid to move the borough's green efforts up a gear.

The clean air champions will talk to motorists that they spot idling their engines outside schools and in Alencon Link to highlight the negative impact that it can have on the environment.

They will ask drivers seen waiting in their cars with their engines running to switch off, and give out information on how idling vehicles contribute to air pollution.

The Clean Air Day campaign is a national scheme co-ordinated by Global Action Plan to highlight the issue of air pollution nationwide.

Cabinet member for environment and enforcement, Councillor Hayley Eachus, said: "Vehicles are the main source of air pollution, so I would encourage everyone to think about how you might be able to use your car less.

“But on those occasions when you need to drive, please think about how you’re driving.

"Idling contributes to toxic emissions in the air we breathe both inside and outside your car.

“Everyone needs to make small changes which can add up to a big difference.

“By making sure that you switch your engine off if you know you’ll be waiting for more than a minute you’ll be helping to keep our air clean.”

Martin Heath, from Basingstoke Clean Air Campaign, said: “We all need to drive cars but air pollution is an issue that affects us all.

“Driving less, walking more, getting on a bus or a bike all help. Switching off when outside schools is particularly important.

“Our children walk at 'exhaust pipe level' and breathing in toxic fumes harms their developing lungs and brains.

"It makes sense to switch off when idling.”

The pledges, from council staff and members of the public were shared on BDBC's social media channels with the hashtag #cleanairday.

For more information about the Clean Air Basingstoke and Deane Campaign, visit: basingstoke.gov.uk/clean-air.

To find out more about the Basingstoke Clean Air Campaign, go to facebook.com/basingstokecleanair or email bstokecleanair@gmail.com.