A number of community groups in Acton along with Ealing Friends of the Earth and Ealing Central & Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq gathered together to raise awareness of idling engines in vehicles which pollute the air and waste fuel.
On Saturday (10 June 2023), Friends of Friars Gardens together with Churchfield Community Association and Ealing Friends of the Earth gathered by Acton Central station to remind drivers to switch off their engines when the barriers are down. There are existing signs asking drivers to do this but according to local people many drivers are not switching off.
A spokesperson for Ealing Friends of the Earth said: “Unfortunately London’s air is pretty filthy, even if the pollution is not visible to the eye. The World Health Organization guidelines state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter of 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter) should not exceed 5 µg/m3. We checked the level on Churchfield Road during the protest and got readings between 25 and 30 µg/m3. That’s five to six times over the WHO limit.”
They added: “Of course not idling doesn’t stop all pollution – there’s a lot more to be done. We need to back all measures to clean up London’s toxic air ASAP. Waiting until we or loved ones develop serious lung diseases to start campaigning is not a good option.”
