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Police, Council Impose Up to £110 Fines for Idling Engines

6/25/2026

Summary

Police Penalise Idling

Police can issue £40 fixed penalties and civil enforcement officers £80 penalty charges for idling with air-conditioning, both halved if paid promptly.
Islington Council may fine £110 drivers who refuse to switch off an idling engine after a request.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis warned idling creates pollution, urged delaying trips during the heatwave, and noted a 2019 consultation to raise idle-engine fines was never implemented.

Summary

Met Office Warns

The Met Office warned for 25-26 July 2024, forecasting temperatures above 37 °C and peaks up to 40 °C in England and Wales.
AA chief Edmund King warned that pavement temperatures near 50 °C can make older roads tacky, reducing braking and steering.
The RAC expects breakdowns to rise about 20 % and urges drivers to postpone trips.
Great Western Railway suspended the London Paddington-Reading service until Friday, prompting operators to warn of cancellations.

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Police Penalise Idling

Police can issue £40 fixed penalties and civil enforcement officers £80 penalty charges for idling with air-conditioning, both halved if paid promptly.
Islington Council may fine £110 drivers who refuse to switch off an idling engine after a request.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis warned idling creates pollution, urged delaying trips during the heatwave, and noted a 2019 consultation to raise idle-engine fines was never implemented.

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