The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
The Committee will continue to meet but given the volume of petitions and agreed work programme it is unlikely that the Committee would be able to meaningfully progress work on petitions submitted after 10 October ahead of the election. Petitions lodged after this date will not fall when the Parliament is dissolved and will be for the successor committee to consider in the new session.
If you are seeking urgent action or policy change please contact one of your 8 MSPs or the Scottish Government directly.
Closed petition PE1944: Enforce engine idling ban
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to enforce the engine idling ban and take action to:
- Introduce instant £80 fines for offences
- Reclassify idling as a high traffic offence
- Legally oblige local authorities to enforce the engine idling ban
- Create contact points for public reporting
- Increase anti-idling signage in public spaces
Previous action taken
I contacted John Swinney. His office responded to say that engine idling is already illegal and that councils already have the authority to issue fixed penalties. Local councils have stated that the legal powers to stop vehicles and check emissions are discretionary and local authorities have to apply to the government if they wish to use them.
Background information
Engine idling has become a national epidemic which poisons the air we breathe and reduces our children’s chances of surviving the escalating Climate Crisis.
The current law prohibiting idling is not fit for purpose, is futile and ignored by most councils and the police. Indeed the police routinely refuse to address it. Those councils that do take action are only scratching the surface of the issue.
We are in a Climate and Ecological Emergency that demands Emergency Action!
The 2021 IPCC report - “Code Red for Humanity” spells it out in simple terms. Our governments have failed to take the actions necessary to reduce emissions to limit global warming to a 1.5 degree rise. Engine idling is a perfect example of incompetent leadership in an emergency.
The true scale of idling in Scotland revealed that 1 in 5 drivers at some supermarkets left engines idling whilst they or partners went shopping.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
54 signatures