Drivers who leave their engine idling while parked will be asked to turn it off or face a £20 fine.

Although the regulations have been in force across Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham for two years, Swale council has installed new warning signs and is sending out patrols in a blitz to crack down on offenders.

Cllr Julian Saunders, who chairs the council's environment committee, explained: "We introduced the anti-idling legislation in 2020 and have had an encouraging response from the public so far.

“They have been overwhelmingly receptive and happy to do their bit to improve our air quality.

"We are now carrying out enforcement patrols to help remind drivers that idling engines are damaging the air quality, and to encourage motorists to switch off their engine when they are waiting.”

The zones are mainly around schools, high streets and village centres, with most hotspots outside schools and during afternoon pick-up times.

Any driver who fails to switch off their engine when asked can be issued with a £20 fixed penalty notice.

'These microscopic pollutants can cause asthma and worsen chronic illness such as lung cancer...'

Cllr Tim Valentine, vice-chairman of the environment committee, said: "Every minute a car idles, it produces enough exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons with harmful chemicals.

"It is vital we do what we can to reduce excess idling, especially in our poor air quality hotspots."

He added: “A lot of our hotspots are around schools. These microscopic pollutants can cause asthma and worsen chronic illness such as lung cancer and emphysema and can be particularly damaging for children.

“We ask residents to adhere to the new signs and don’t leave their cars idling unnecessarily to help us tackle the poor air quality in Swale.”

In 2019, Newington Church of England primary school set up a new drop-off for zone for parents to combat idling cars which were waiting outside the site in School Lane.

Hotspots for the Swale borough

Sittingbourne: Albany Road, Brenchley Road, Central Avenue, Cryalls Lane, Gladstone Drive, High Street, Highsted Road, Homewood Avenue, Lansdowne Road, Middletune Avenue, North Street, Regency Court, St Michael's Road, Station Road, Stockers Hill, Sydney Avenue, Swanstree Avenue.

Faversham: Back Lane, Bank Street, Brewery Road, Ethelbert Road, Grayshott Close, Mill Hill, Priory Row, The Charltons, The Street, Water Lane.

Sheppey: The Broadway, Lower Road, Railway Road.