More than 2,000 people have pledged their support to a campaign to stop engine idling in Westminster .

The #DontBeIdle pledge, which encourages drivers to turn off their idling engines while at the side of the road, making a delivery or waiting for a passenger, reached the landmark figure this month.

Among those who have thrown their support behind the campaign are actor Nigel Havers, athlete Colin Jackson , Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas, and a number of MPs and government ministers including Jesse Norman and Thérèse Coffey.

Last week alone 500 people signed the pledge and the local authority has a team of full time "air quality marshals" running a series of road shows across some of the city’s busiest areas.

Driving's an expensive business

Westminster City Council says the borough suffers from among the worst air quality in the country with some of the most polluted roads in Europe.

The #DontBeIdle campaign is one of a number of significant steps the council has taken to tackle the problem including introducing £80 fines for idling drivers and launching a pilot emissions-based parking surcharge for diesel drivers.

To date 15 fines have been issued for idling.

The council is now calling on the government to create an air quality regulator to tighten up standards and give council’s further powers to tackle issues like idling.

Head of environment Cllr David Harvey said: “This campaign is really sparking the imagination of people in the city.

Westminster suffers from among the worst air quality in the country

“Poor air quality is our residents’ number one concern and we are fully committed to leading the way on this issue.

“This issue affects us all and pledging adds your voice to those calling for cleaner air in the capital and we need your support to make a difference."

To sign the council’s pledge and find out about its anti-idling action days click here .

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